Take a close look at your fingernails. They may seem like a small cosmetic detail, but changes in their color, texture, or shape can sometimes offer clues about what is happening inside your body—including your kidneys.
Kidney disease is often called a “silent disease” because it may cause few noticeable symptoms until it becomes advanced. In the United States, tens of millions of adults have chronic kidney disease, and many do not know it. While your fingernails cannot diagnose kidney disease, certain patterns may be worth mentioning to your doctor, especially when they appear alongside fatigue, swelling, changes in urination, or high blood pressure.
Before you inspect your nails, remove polish or artificial nails so you can see the nail beds clearly. Also remember that nail changes are not specific to kidney disease. Anemia, thyroid problems, nutritional deficiencies, liver disease, heart failure, infections, trauma, and normal aging can cause similar findings. (Based on the insights of nephrologist Dr. Frita Fisher)
