Kidney Helpline FAQs

You have two kidneys that are busy working 24 hours a day to clean your blood. They filter out toxins, salts and extra water, which leave your body when you pee.

Each one is the size of your fist and is bean shaped. The kidneys play a huge role in keeping you healthy.

As well as flushing out all the toxins in our body our kidneys perform many other functions.

- Blood pressure control: your kidneys keep your blood pressure regular
- Vitamin D activation: your kidneys help make Vitamin D which helps to keep your bones and muscles strong
- Make erythropoietin (EPO): your kidneys make 'EPO' which tells your body to make red blood cells which carry oxygen around your body and give you energy

This is a test performed by a qualified medical practitioner to assess your kidney health. It involves a blood pressure check, a blood test to check your eGFR and urine test to check for protein levels. The three measurements will indicate the health of your kidneys.

It is a range of questions that will determine if you are at increased risk of developing kidney disease and has been developed for general information and educational purposes only. It is not designed to replace medical advice from a qualified medical practitioner.

90% of kidney function can be lost without any symptoms which makes kidney disease very hard to detect. Signs of kidney disease can include:

• A reduced estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR)
• Protein in the urine known as albuminuria
• Elevated blood pressure

eGFR stands for ‘estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate’ and is a measure of how well your kidneys are working. Your kidneys work hard to filter your blood but when they aren’t working properly, waste products can build up in your body. As kidney disease gets worse, your eGFR will go down. An eGFR of 60 means that your kidneys are working at about 60% of their full function. Your eGFR is measured by a blood test ordered by your doctor.

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is group of chronic kidney diseases where thousands of cysts (fluid filled sacs) grow in the kidneys. PKD is the most common inherited kidney disease and is a common cause of Chronic Kidney Disease.

If you have PKD both of your kidneys will be affected but one kidney may develop the cysts earlier than the other. The cysts gradually grow which makes your kidneys larger and reduces the healthy kidney tissue. This makes it harder for your kidneys to work properly.

A kidney cyst is a fluid-filled sac that grows in your kidneys. There are different types of kidney cysts. People with simple kidney cysts (benign cysts) have sacs that are filled with fluid in their kidneys - think of a small balloon filled with water. Simple renal cyst is the most common kidney cystic disease. It is possible to have one or more cysts in one or both kidneys and is not unusual, particularly as you become older. The prevalence rate of simple cysts is about 10% and increases with age. In most cases, simple kidney cysts do not cause symptoms and usually do not require treatment. Cysts are usually seen on ultrasound. If there is anything concerning with the appearance of the cyst - the wall is thick, there is calcification, or the fluid in the cyst is not clear, further investigation with a CT may be required.

This is different to polycystic kidney disease which tends to run in families and can be more serious. We recommend you speak with your doctor to understand more about the type of cyst and its management.

Medullary sponge kidney (MSK) is a rare disorder, which can sometimes run in families. MSK is due to abnormal development in the kidneys and present from birth. Generally, people are diagnosed with MSK when they are in their 20s or 30s. MSK can show as recurrent (repeating) kidney stones (small stones and sand), Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), and infections of the kidney (pylonephritits).

Most Renal Dietitians are employed through hospital Renal Units and you should be able to arrange an appointment by asking your GP or Nephrologist for a referral or contacting your nearest renal unit.

If you are looking for a private renal dietitian, you may be able to find one through the Dietitians Association of Australia who can be contacted on 1800 812 942. This group can provide you with names and contact details for dietitians in your local area.

Funds raised help us deliver our flagship support services such as the Kidney Transplant House Program, the Big Red Kidney Bus, Youth Program and Helpline. In addition, donated funds help drive early detection and prevention programs and research.