Your kidneys keep you alive. The kidney’s main task is to clean your blood and filter waste out through your urine. When your kidneys aren't functioning as they should, waste gradually builds up in your body, and this can have a devastating impact on your health. This condition is called kidney disease - the loss of normal kidney function over time. It can also be called kidney failure, which is the end-stage of kidney disease.
If you're living with diabetes or high blood pressure you should get an annual kidney health check to see how well your kidneys are functioning.
I was diagnosed when I was 21 with stage 2 chronic kidney disease (CKD). I have had issues with my kidneys my entire life with several surgeries leading me to only having half a functioning kidney. I am currently stage 4 chronic kidney disease at age 30.
My kidney disease wasn’t caused by high blood pressure but I was put on medication for my blood pressure as soon as I was diagnosed. High blood pressure is really bad for your kidneys, it makes them work harder over time and can cause more loss of function. Although my blood pressure is now sorted with medication I need to continue on it as it helps stop my kidneys from working overtime and losing more function. The medication helps to turn down my kidney so it’s not overworked.
I know if I didn’t have existing issues I wouldn’t know how much blood pressure can affect your kidneys. So many people out there honestly don’t realise, I think it’s so important to get your kidneys checked. A lot of people with CKD don’t get symptoms until they’ve lost 90% function. Next time you’re at the doctors get your kidneys checked, it's well worth finding out how they are going.
"At the age of five, I was diagnosed with on-set Type 1 Diabetes. I managed – played sports, moved to Batemans Bay, became a butcher, married, and had a child. But in 1996, my health took a turn for the worse. Kidney disease and eye troubles started catching up with me.
After living well with Diabetes in my younger years, in early 2000, I was diagnosed with end stage renal failure and was rushed to Canberra Hospital for emergency dialysis. My eyesight had also failed to the point of being legally blind.
Type 1 Diabetes was savage on me, I was on regular dialysis from 2000 and my left leg was amputated below the knee in 2002. In 2007, I was told there was a kidney and pancreas heading to Westmead Hospital for me. I was in theatre for about 10 hours! The ravages of Type 1 had one more blow to dish out to me. In 2008, my right leg was amputated below the knee.
Watching my family watch me was the hardest part.
Dialysis is not a cure for renal disease; it is a treatment. Some people survive on dialysis for many years. Some people are fortunate to receive a kidney transplant. Some people choose not to have dialysis… But what always stood out for me was how lucky I am to have had the love of, and support from my wife, family and friends – I really appreciate it!"
“I’m living with both conditions. I encourage everyone to check their kidneys. Early intervention means living your best life.”
“I was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease at age 7 after a routine urine dipstick test at the GP identified high quantities of protein in my urine. At age 13 I was referred to an adult nephrologist and underwent my first kidney biopsy that provided a diagnosis. As a teenager I started a multi-drug treatment regime that focused on delaying kidney failure as long as possible. At age 28 I had a second kidney biopsy that confirmed progression of my disease. Throughout my journey, I have developed high blood pressure and high cholesterol due to my kidney disease and had an angiogram (a test to check for blockages in your blood vessels) following a suspected cardiovascular event. I have no memory of life without chronic kidney disease and for me it’s a “warriors' disease”.
It’s like that reoccurring dream where someone is chasing you in the forest and you never know when they will catch you. The chaser is chronic kidney disease.
After maintaining relatively ‘normal’ kidney function for 24 years after my diagnosis, the last two years has seen a very rapid decline in kidney function, approaching the need for dialysis. I am fortunate in that my condition was caught early and I could work with my nephrology team for a quarter of a century to prolong kidney failure for as long as possible. I encourage everyone to check their kidney health, pursue early intervention and live your best life.”
Ina left all her inner community, all her family, cousins, aunties, and uncles for dialysis treatments. “I was homesick.”
The doctor explained that dialysis is like a washing machine. Dialysis washes your rubbish, when you eat lots of food and drink too many cups of tea, dialysis is cleaning the rubbish away—like a washing machine. It does the same function as healthy kidneys would have done.
“[First Nations Australians] should go to the clinic. Go to check your kidneys. Maybe it’s too late for some of them. If you don’t go you’ll be very sick—so you should go and show up to the nurses. It’s very important for us.
The artwork featured below was painted by Ina during a yarning when they were talking about kidney disease. Ina pictured in forefront.
Here’s something to help you start the conversation with your GP.
This handy letter will help explain to your GP why you would like your kidneys checked, what tests need to be done and how they can access additional support if required.
Download a referral letter now and take it with you to your GP appointment.
A Kidney Health Check is very quick and simple.
1. A blood test to check how well your kidneys are working – your GP will order this test to check your eGFR which tells you how much kidney function you have left
2. A urine ACR test – this test will check for albuminuria, a type of protein in your urine. Damaged kidneys often leak protein into the urine
3. A blood pressure check – high blood pressure and kidney disease often occur together, so increasing blood pressure is often an early sign of kidney disease.
A kidney health check can be done as part of your regular GP visit. The tests ordered are covered by Medicare, however your doctor may charge you a gap for the doctor visit.
