* swelling in the feet, ankles, legs, hands, or face
* fatigue or weakness
* changes in urination
* nausea
* reduced appetite
* difficulty concentrating
* shortness of breath
* itching or muscle cramps.
These symptoms are not specific to kidney disease and can have many other causes.
That is why laboratory testing is much more reliable than trying to diagnose kidney problems from symptoms alone.
## How Kidney Function Is Checked
Two of the most important tests are surprisingly simple.
### Blood Test for eGFR
