We have detected that you are located in . Do you want to switch to the local site?
If you have type 2 diabetes, it’s important to take care of your kidneys. In episode 2 of our series all about the connection between type 2 diabetes and chronic kidneys disease, let’s learn about what your kidneys do, and why we need them to be functioning optimally. Be sure to reach out to your healthcare professional if you have any questions!
The kidneys work as the filters of the body, processing roughly 180 litres of blood every day1.
As they filter, they remove waste and toxic substances from the blood, as well as excess water, sending them to your bladder to be disposed of as urine1. Your kidneys also return vital substances to your blood, including essential vitamins and minerals1.
As you can see, the kidneys have many important jobs! Without the kidneys, our blood fluid levels would not be controlled, leading to a build-up of waste products in our blood1.
For these reasons, it is important to look after your kidneys to maintain your health and wellbeing. High blood sugar levels can cause damage to the kidneys over time, which is why it’s especially important if you are living with type 2 diabetes2.
HQ25DI00048
1. Kidney Research UK. What the kidneys do. Available at: https://www.kidneyresearchuk.org/kidney-health-information/about-kidney-disease/what-the-kidneys-do/. Last accessed: March 2025.
2. Wu T, Ding L, Andoh V, et al. The Mechanism of Hyperglycemia-Induced Renal Cell Injury in Diabetic Nephropathy Disease: An Update. Life (Basel). 2023;13.
