HealthInfo Waitaha Canterbury
Diabetes & kidney disease
Mate huka me matenga whatumanawa
Over time, diabetes can damage the small blood vessels and delicate filtering system in your kidneys. This is called diabetic nephropathy.
Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Kidney damage caused by diabetes usually happens slowly, over many years, but it doesn't happen to everyone with diabetes. It's more likely in people whose blood glucose (sugar) levels are poorly controlled, who have high blood pressure or who smoke.
You're also more at risk of kidney disease if you're Māori or Pacific and have diabetes.
Self-care for diabetic kidney disease
Looking after your kidneys can prevent or delay kidney damage.
Diagnosing diabetic kidney disease
Your doctors may use several tests to diagnose diabetic nephropathy. These include:
- blood tests that look at your kidney function
- urine tests that measure the amount of protein in your urine
- renal ultrasound, which measures the size of your kidneys (kidneys can get smaller with diabetic nephropathy).
Treating diabetic kidney disease
Any treatment for diabetic nephropathy aims to slow down damage to your kidneys. It includes:
- keeping your blood glucose well controlled
- keeping your blood pressure well controlled, often with types of medicines called ACE inhibitors or ARBs
- starting medicines to lower your cholesterol levels.
If your diabetic nephropathy becomes severe, you'll need treatment for CKD.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed November 2022.
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Review key: HIDIA-21832
