Diabetes and kidney disease often overlap. A recent MyKidneyDiseaseTeam poll shows how common that overlap was among the members who responded.

When asked, “Have you been diagnosed with both kidney disease and diabetes?” here’s how 693 MyKidneyDiseaseTeam members answered:

Although this was an informal poll, it shows that many of the members who responded were living with both conditions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 38 percent of U.S. adults with diabetes have chronic kidney disease (CKD).

How Are Diabetes and Kidney Disease Connected?

Diabetes is one of the main causes of chronic kidney disease. Over time, high blood glucose (blood sugar) can harm the small blood vessels in the kidneys. This can make it harder for the kidneys to filter waste from the blood properly.

Researchers have also looked at whether people with CKD may be more likely to develop diabetes later. In a large study from Taiwan, people with CKD had about a 20 percent higher risk of developing diabetes than those without CKD, after researchers accounted for other factors.

Having both conditions also doesn’t necessarily mean diabetes caused your kidney disease. Kidney disease has many possible causes. Your healthcare team may need to evaluate the cause rather than assume that kidney disease in someone with diabetes is diabetic kidney disease.

Kidney Changes May Not Cause Symptoms at First

Early kidney disease often causes few or no noticeable symptoms. Changes in kidney function can happen before you notice that anything is wrong.

If you have diabetes, your healthcare team may use routine kidney tests to check for these changes. Two common tests are:

• Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) — This number is calculated from a blood test and estimates how well your kidneys filter blood.
• Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) — This urine test compares albumin with creatinine to help detect kidney damage.

Your healthcare team may use both tests to understand your kidney health. They may also repeat a urine test if albumin is found to confirm the results.

Join the Conversation

On MyKidneyDiseaseTeam, people share their experiences with kidney disease, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Do you live with both diabetes and kidney disease? Which condition were you diagnosed with first? Share your experience in the comments below.