HIV and Kidney Disease
Abnormal kidney function - when the kidneys do not properly remove waste from the body - occurs in up to 30% of people with HIV.
Antiretroviral (ARV) medications
may contribute to kidney stones and kidney disease, which may cause symptoms such as extreme thirst, fatigue, and a rapid heart rate. Most patients have no symptoms however.
High blood pressure can be a sign of abnormal kidney function.
Studies have shown that factors such as advanced HIV disease, low
CD4 counts,
diabetes, smoking for more than 10 years, older age, and being of African or Haitian descent may all be linked to kidney disease in people living with HIV.
You should have your kidney function checked with blood and urine tests when you are first diagnosed with HIV. If your kidney function is normal, you should be rechecked every year.
If your kidney function test is abnormal or if you have other risk factors for kidney disease - such as low
CD4 count,
high
viral load,
diabetes, high blood pressure or hepatitis C infection - your doctor may refer you to a kidney specialist for further evaluation.
