Diabetes is a condition that affects millions of people in India and across the world. While most people know that diabetes is linked to high blood sugar, not everyone realizes how much damage it can cause to vital organs in the body. Among these, the kidneys are one of the most commonly affected organs. In fact, diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease globally.
This makes regular kidney function tests extremely important for anyone living with diabetes. But how often should these tests be done? Is once a year enough, or do you need them more frequently?
Understanding Why Diabetes Damages the Kidneys
The kidneys are small but powerful organs located in your lower back. They work 24/7 to clean the blood, remove waste products, and balance water, salt, and minerals in the body. Each kidney contains millions of tiny filtering units called nephrons, which do this important job silently.
When you have diabetes, the constant presence of high sugar in the blood damages these delicate filters. Over time, this leads to a condition called Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD), also known as diabetic nephropathy. In Mumbai and across India, the number of patients with Diabetic Kidney Disease in Mumbai is steadily rising.
Kidney doctors often say that kidney disease due to diabetes is a “silent killer,” because it does not cause pain in the beginning. Patients usually feel fine until the disease has already advanced. That is why regular kidney function tests are the only way to detect the problem early and protect your kidneys before it is too late.
Early Warning Signs of Kidney Damage:
While the early stages of kidney damage often show no symptoms, some warning signs may appear as the damage progresses. These include:
-
Swelling in the feet, ankles, or around the eyes
-
Foamy or bubbly urine, caused by protein leakage
-
Tiredness and low energy levels
-
Loss of appetite
-
Increased urination at night
-
Difficulty concentrating
However, by the time these signs become noticeable, a significant amount of kidney function may already be lost. That is why experts like Dr. Vijay Patel, a highly trusted Kidney Specialist Doctor in South Mumbai, strongly recommend routine kidney tests for all patients with diabetes.
Types of Kidney Function Tests:
There are several tests that doctors use to check the health of the kidneys. These are simple and painless tests, and they can give an accurate picture of how well your kidneys are working.
-
Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio (UACR) Test:
This test checks if protein is leaking into your urine. Normally, protein should stay in the blood, but damaged kidneys let it pass into the urine. Even a small amount of protein can be an early warning sign.
-
Serum Creatinine Test:
Creatinine is a waste product that the kidneys normally remove from the blood. High levels of creatinine suggest that your kidneys are not working as they should.
-
Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR):
This test uses creatinine levels to calculate how well your kidneys are filtering the blood. A lower eGFR means weaker kidney function.
-
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) Test:
This measures another waste product in your blood, called urea nitrogen. High levels may point to kidney issues.
-
Ultrasound or Imaging:
Sometimes, doctors recommend an ultrasound to see the size and structure of the kidneys.
These tests are usually recommended by specialists such as Dr. Vijay Patel, often referred to as one of the leading Kidney Doctors in Mumbai, especially for patients with diabetes.
How Often Should Diabetes Patients Get Kidney Function Tests?
Now comes the main question—how frequently should you be tested? The answer depends on the type of diabetes you have, how long you’ve had it, and whether any signs of kidney disease are already present.
-
Type 1 Diabetes Patients:
For patients with type 1 diabetes, doctors usually begin kidney testing five years after diagnosis. After that, tests should be done once every year.
-
Type 2 Diabetes Patients:
For patients with type 2 diabetes, kidney testing should begin as soon as diabetes is diagnosed. This is because type 2 diabetes can remain hidden for years before being detected, and by the time it is diagnosed, kidney damage may already have started. After that, tests should be done at least once every year.
-
Patients with Kidney Damage Already Detected:
If tests show early signs of kidney damage, your doctor may recommend repeating the tests more frequently—every 3 to 6 months. In advanced cases of kidney disease, testing may even be required more often to closely monitor the situation.
This test checks if protein is leaking into your urine. Normally, protein should stay in the blood, but damaged kidneys let it pass into the urine. Even a small amount of protein can be an early warning sign.
Creatinine is a waste product that the kidneys normally remove from the blood. High levels of creatinine suggest that your kidneys are not working as they should.
This test uses creatinine levels to calculate how well your kidneys are filtering the blood. A lower eGFR means weaker kidney function.
This measures another waste product in your blood, called urea nitrogen. High levels may point to kidney issues.
Sometimes, doctors recommend an ultrasound to see the size and structure of the kidneys.
-
Type 1 Diabetes Patients:
For patients with type 1 diabetes, doctors usually begin kidney testing five years after diagnosis. After that, tests should be done once every year. -
Type 2 Diabetes Patients:
For patients with type 2 diabetes, kidney testing should begin as soon as diabetes is diagnosed. This is because type 2 diabetes can remain hidden for years before being detected, and by the time it is diagnosed, kidney damage may already have started. After that, tests should be done at least once every year. -
Patients with Kidney Damage Already Detected:
If tests show early signs of kidney damage, your doctor may recommend repeating the tests more frequently—every 3 to 6 months. In advanced cases of kidney disease, testing may even be required more often to closely monitor the situation.