By : Geraldus Sigap
Ever heard of the term “silent killer”? One example is chronic kidney disease (CKD) caused by type 2 diabetes. Without obvious symptoms at the beginning, high blood sugar levels can gradually damage your kidneys. Unfortunately, many people only become aware of it when the damage is already severe.
The Link Between Type 2 Diabetes and Kidney Failure
Type 2 diabetes doesn’t just affect blood sugar, it also impacts small blood vessels throughout the body, including the kidneys. Constantly high blood sugar can damage nephrons (the kidney’s filtering units), cause protein leakage into the urine (proteinuria), and gradually decrease kidney function. In general, a normal fasting blood sugar level ranges between 70–99 mg/dL, and blood sugar levels two hours after eating should be below 140 mg/dL. If fasting blood sugar is ≥ 126 mg/dL, or if a random blood sugar test shows ≥ 200 mg/dL accompanied by classic symptoms of diabetes, the condition can be classified as diabetes mellitus.
Early Symptoms Often Overlooked
Early-stage CKD often shows no symptoms. However, be alert if you experience:
- Swelling in the feet or ankles
- Fatigue
- Foamy urine or reduced urine output
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Loss of appetite and nausea
If you have diabetes and begin experiencing these symptoms, consult a doctor immediately.
Who is at Risk?
People with type 2 diabetes are at higher risk of kidney damage, especially if they have:
- Poorly controlled blood sugar
- High blood pressure
- Family history of kidney disease
- Active smoking habits
- Are over 40 years old
Essential Tests to Monitor Kidney Health
Early detection is key. Important tests include:
- Urine test: To detect protein (albuminuria)
- Blood test (eGFR and creatinine): To assess how well the kidneys filter waste
- Kidney ultrasound: To observe kidney structure
- Regular monitoring of blood pressure and HbA1c
To diagnose diabetes, doctors may perform several types of blood tests, such as:
- Fasting Blood Glucose Test (FBG)
- Random Blood Glucose Test
- HbA1c Test (Glycated Hemoglobin), which reflects average blood sugar levels over the past 2–3 months.
How to Prevent Kidney Damage
You can keep your kidneys healthy even with diabetes by:
- Maintaining tight blood sugar control
- Keeping blood pressure in a healthy range
- Eating a low-salt, low-sugar diet
- Quitting smoking
- Drinking enough water
- Exercising regularly
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
Kidney damage caused by diabetes can progress silently over many years. Don’t wait until your kidney function has drastically declined. If you or a family member has diabetes, get routine kidney checkups at least once a year. Consult your health condition by contacting the Internal Medicine team at RS Abdi Waluyo at 021-3144989 or book an online appointment today.
FAQ
- Will everyone with diabetes eventually have kidney damage?
No, but the risk increases if blood sugar and blood pressure are poorly controlled over many years.
- What is the first sign of diabetes-related kidney damage?
One of the earliest detectable signs is protein in the urine (albuminuria), even without any obvious physical symptoms.
- How often should people with diabetes get their kidney function checked?
At least once a year, especially if you’ve had diabetes for more than five years or have additional risk factors.
- Can diabetes-related kidney damage be cured?
Kidney damage is typically irreversible, but with proper management, its progression can be slowed or prevented.
- What is eGFR and why is it important?
eGFR (estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate) indicates how well your kidneys filter waste. It’s crucial for assessing the extent of kidney damage.
Resource :
- de Boer IH, Khunti K, Sadusky T, et al. Diabetes Management in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Consensus Report by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO). Diabetes Care. 2022 Dec 1;45(12)
- Watanabe M, Boye KS, Leitner BN, Nilsson PM. Weight loss and improvement of obesity-related illness in 2849 patients treated with sibutramine in daily practice: the Sibutramine Cardiovascular Outcomes (SCOUT) trial. Diabetol Metab Syndr. 2016;8:10.
- Triozzi JL, Parker Gregg L, Virani SS, et al. Management of type 2 diabetes in chronic kidney disease. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2021 Jul;9(1)
