Kidney disease can change the appearance of nails
Kidney disease can cause nails to weaken, develop discoloration and ridges
IN THE NEWS: UCI Health nephrologist Dr. Yongen Chang spoke with Health Central about how changes in nail appearance can indicate symptoms of kidney disease.
About one in seven people with chronic kidney disease develop anemia, or iron deficiency, since the damaged kidneys are less able to produce a hormone that prompts the body to create new red blood cells, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Chang explains that the lack of iron in the blood can weaken nail tissue, leading to brittle, pale or ridged nails.
“If you’ve experienced any concerning changes to your nails, your doctor may do further testing. Doctors can do a comprehensive metabolic panel and urine tests to assess whether there is underlying kidney disease.”
Chang says it’s important for those with diabetes who have kidney disease to have their nails managed by a podiatrist, because they at higher risk of developing dangerous infections.
Chang is a board-certified UCI Health nephrologist who treats patients with hypertension and kidney disease. As an associate professor and the co-director of the Center for Glomerular Disease in the Division of Nephrology at the UC Irvine School of Medicine, Chang’s research and clinical interests include refractory/resistant hypertension, chronic kidney disease, kidney diseases in pregnancy and malignancy and rare glomerulonephritis.
To make an appointment at UCI Health Nephrology Services, call 949-824-8600
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UCI Health is one of California’s largest academic health systems and the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. Established on July 1, 1976, UCI Health has grown into a 1,461-bed health system that includes UCI Health — Orange, UCI Health — Irvine, four Community Network hospitals and a growing network of ambulatory care centers across Orange and Los Angeles counties. As Orange County’s only academic health systems, UCI Health is home to the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center based in the county, the region’s only American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, American College of Emergency Physicians Gold Level 1 Geriatric Emergency Department and a nationally recognized regional burn center verified by the American Burn Association. Powered by UC Irvine, UCI Health serves 5.6 million people across Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County through excellence in patient care, research and medical education. Follow UCI Health on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.