Diabetes-related nephropathy affects the small blood vessels in the kidney, which can alter the normal function of the kidney. The kidneys are responsible for filtering our blood and removing any waste products and excess salts and water from our blood. When the kidneys are functioning normally, they prevent protein leaking into our urine. So, if there is protein found in the urine, this is often the first sign of nephropathy.
If you have diabetes, you may not even realise that you have any problems with your kidneys. You may still even be producing normal amounts of urine. But did you know that people with diabetic kidney disease usually don't exhibit any symptoms until at least 75 percent of the kidney's function is lost!