Common warning signs of kidney disease include:

• High blood pressure
• Passage of bloody or cloudy urine
• Excessive foaming of the urine
• Puffiness of the eyes, hands and feet (especially in children)
• Frequent passing of urine during the night

• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Shortness of breath and cardiovascular problems
• Decreased ability to exercise or do physical activity
• Dizziness (vertigo)
• Loss of appetite
• Inability to concentrate / reduced cognitive function

Kidney disease is diagnosed by measuring the levels of wastes in the blood and urine. A common way of determining kidney function is by measuring the level of the protein creatinine in the blood. From this, the doctor can calculate its clearance or rate at which the kidneys are filtering it out. This will indicate the level of kidney function. Other laboratory tests include measuring the pH of the blood, levels of nitrogenous wastes and minerals such as potassium.

Anemia is diagnosed by measuring the hemoglobin (Hb) level of the blood. Hemoglobin is the component by which the red blood cells deliver oxygen to tissues. The normal Hb range for women is 120-160 g/L and the normal range for men is 140-180 g/L. Hemoglobin levels below the normal ranges may indicate anemia.

Treatment of Anemia in Kidney Disease

Anemia due to dietary deficiencies of such nutrients as iron, folic acid (folate) and vitamin B₁₂, can be brought under control with dietary supplements.

Transfusion of red blood cells is usually used to treat severe anemia. A transfusion usually results in a rapid increase in red blood cells, however is short-lived and additional transfusions are required as the red blood cell count decreases again. Transfusion may cause allergic reactions, fever, chills, infections and headaches.