Does Diabetes Increase Your Risk for Kidney Stones?
Learn how diabetes affects kidney stone risk, prevention strategies, and treatment options you need to know.
Kidney stones are a painful and increasingly common health concern. Emerging scientific evidence indicates that diabetes—especially when poorly controlled—can significantly raise your risk for developing kidney stones. Understanding this connection is vital for anyone living with diabetes, as proactive management may reduce the risk and improve overall health.
Understanding Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys once certain substances, such as calcium, oxalate, and uric acid, become concentrated in urine. These stones can vary in size, and while small stones may pass silently, larger ones can cause severe pain and complications if they block urinary tract passages.
- Common types of kidney stones:
- Calcium oxalate stones
- Uric acid stones
- Struvite stones
- Cystine stones
- Symptoms:
- Severe pain in the back, abdomen, or groin
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blood in the urine
- Frequent urination or a burning sensation while urinating
How Diabetes Affects the Risk of Kidney Stones
A growing body of research suggests a strong link between type 2 diabetes and an increased risk of developing kidney stones. Several mechanisms in diabetes—especially when blood sugar is not well controlled—can alter urine chemistry, resulting in the formation of kidney stones.
- Increased urinary acidity: Diabetes can make urine more acidic, particularly in those with insulin resistance. Acidic urine favors the formation of uric acid stones.
- Insulin resistance: Diminished insulin sensitivity not only impacts blood sugar, but also leads to defective kidney ammoniagenesis, lowering urine pH and increasing uric acid stone risk.
- Poor glycemic control: Higher levels of HbA1c (the main marker of long-term blood sugar control) are associated with a substantially increased risk of kidney stones.
- Prevalence of comorbidities: Other metabolic risk factors common in diabetes—such as obesity and hypertension—further elevate the risk.
Diabetes Severity and Kidney Stone Risk
Studies indicate that as diabetes severity increases, so does the risk of kidney stone disease:
| Risk Factor | Increase in Kidney Stone Risk |
|---|---|
| Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis | 2.4x higher risk |
| Insulin Use | 3.3x higher risk |
| Fasting Plasma Glucose ≥126 mg/dL | 28% higher risk |
| HbA1c 5.7%-6.4% | 34% higher risk |
| HbA1c >6.5% | 92% higher risk |
| High Fasting Plasma Insulin | 28% higher risk |
| Highest HOMA-IR Tertile | 51% higher risk |
These statistics show that both diabetes itself and its severity are key contributors to your risk profile. The worse your glycemic control, the higher the likelihood of developing kidney stones.
Why Are People with Diabetes More Vulnerable?
The kidneys help regulate mineral balances and eliminate waste through urine. With diabetes, several changes occur that increase the risk of kidney stones:
- Persistent high blood sugar: Over time, elevated glucose damages the filtration units of the kidneys and changes the way urine is produced.
- Low urine pH: More acidic urine promotes formation of uric acid stones—much more common in people with diabetes than those without.
- Changes in urinary composition: Diabetes alters kidney handling of calcium, phosphate, and other minerals, which can aggregate to form stones.
What others are reading
Bidirectional link: Not only does diabetes increase the likelihood of kidney stones, but having kidney stones may also raise the risk of developing chronic kidney disease—especially in those already living with diabetes.
Other Contributing Risk Factors
Various factors also raise the risk of both diabetes and kidney stones. Understanding and minimizing these risk factors may help reduce your overall risk:
- Family history of kidney stones
- Obesity and overweight
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Chronic bowel inflammation
- Diet high in animal proteins
- Low fluid intake (dehydration)
- Certain medications
Symptoms of Kidney Stones in People with Diabetes
Kidney stones can cause a range of symptoms. Because diabetes can affect your nerves and pain perception, symptoms may occasionally be less pronounced. However, common signs include:
- Sharp pain in the side, back, or lower abdomen
- Cloudy, foul-smelling, or red-tinged urine
- Frequent urge to urinate or difficulty passing urine
- Fever and chills (if infection is present)
- Nausea or vomiting
Kidney Stones Types Linked to Diabetes
While anyone can develop kidney stones, diabetes is especially linked to uric acid stones—which are much more common among those with poorly controlled blood sugar. One major study found that diabetes was the strongest risk factor for uric acid stones compared to people without diabetes.
- Up to 35.7% of diabetics with kidney stones had uric acid stones, compared to 11.3% of non-diabetics
- Poor diabetes control further increases the risk
Prevention Strategies
While diabetes significantly raises the risk for kidney stones, there are effective steps you can take to prevent their formation:
- Optimize glycemic control: Maintaining stable blood sugar and HbA1c levels is essential for reducing risk.
- Hydration: Drink plenty of water to dilute urine and discourage stone formation.
- Follow a healthy diet: The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet is recommended. It emphasizes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy, while limiting sodium, red meats, and added sugars.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Losing weight can improve both diabetes control and lower stone risk.
- Limit intake of foods high in oxalate: Examples include spinach, beets, and nuts—consult your healthcare provider for guidance.
- Avoid sugary drinks: High intake of sugar-sweetened beverages can worsen both diabetes and kidney stone risk.
- Limit animal protein: Excessive animal protein can increase uric acid in urine.
- Monitor sodium intake: A low-salt diet helps reduce calcium excretion in urine.
Managing Diabetes and Kidney Stones Together
If you have diabetes and experience kidney stones, talk to your healthcare provider about the best treatment options for both conditions. Strategies may include:
- Medication adjustments for diabetes
- Stone size evaluation (CT scan, ultrasound, or X-ray)
- Pain management as needed
- Possible surgical or procedural removal of larger stones
- Dietary counseling
- Regular follow-up for kidney health and diabetes control
Addressing both kidney stones and diabetes together can help prevent future episodes and protect your kidneys in the long run.
Living Well with Diabetes
Managing your diabetes is the single most important factor in reducing your risk of kidney stones and other complications. Consider these tips for healthy living:
- Track your blood sugar and HbA1c regularly
- Engage in moderate, regular exercise
- Maintain a healthy, balanced diet
- Keep hydrated
- Work with a healthcare team for personalized care
- Stay informed about the symptoms of kidney stones
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Does diabetes cause kidney stones?
A: Diabetes—especially poorly controlled type 2 diabetes—substantially increases the risk for developing kidney stones, primarily due to changes in urine chemistry and higher urinary acid levels.
Q: Is there a way to lower my risk if I have diabetes?
A: Yes. Managing your blood sugar, drinking plenty of water, maintaining a healthy diet (such as the DASH diet), and keeping a healthy weight can all reduce your risk.
Q: What type of kidney stones am I most at risk for if I have diabetes?
A: People with diabetes are especially prone to uric acid stones because of more acidic urine. Calcium stones are also common.
Q: What are signs that I might have kidney stones?
A: Sudden onset of severe back or abdominal pain, blood in urine, frequent urination, and nausea or vomiting are key warning signs.
Q: How are kidney stones treated?
A: Treatment can range from drinking fluids to help pass small stones, to medications for pain or stone prevention, and procedures to remove large stones.
Q: If I have both diabetes and kidney stones, will I develop chronic kidney disease?
A: Having both conditions does raise the risk for chronic kidney disease, so managing both closely with your healthcare provider is crucial.
Key Takeaways
- Type 2 diabetes and poor glycemic control significantly increase the risk of kidney stones.
- People with diabetes are particularly susceptible to uric acid stones, driven by more acidic urine.
- Prevention includes maintaining good blood sugar control, staying hydrated, and following a healthy diet.
- If you have diabetes, stay alert for kidney stone symptoms and speak to your healthcare provider about regular kidney health monitoring.
Resources
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- American Diabetes Association
- Urology Care Foundation
References
- https://nicresearch.com/connection-diabetes-kidney-stones/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3866968/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4633655/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/does-diabetes-increase-risk-for-kidney-stones
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-82075-6
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kidney-stones/symptoms-causes/syc-20355755
- https://www.urologynashville.com/blog/exploring-the-link-between-diabetes-and-kidney-stones/
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