Kidney Disease: Steve Edelman's Own Nephrologist Explains

One of the most common complications of diabetes is Chronic kidney disease (CKD), But here’s the tricky part: you can have it for years without feeling any symptoms. The good news? Kidney disease can often be detected early, and with the right screening, treatments, and lifestyle changes, its progression can be dramatically slowed. In this episode, Dr. Steve Edelman and Dr. Jeremy Pettus are joined by nephrologist Dr. Bethany Karl to break down what everyone with diabetes should know about kidney health. Dr. E also steps into the patient seat to share his own experience living with chronic kidney disease, from discovering it without symptoms to navigating kidney tests and newer treatments. Together, they explain the two simple tests that can uncover kidney problems, why blood pressure and cardiovascular health matter, and how today’s growing toolbox of medications is giving people with diabetic kidney disease more reasons for hope. Timecodes: 0:00 – Intro 1:48 – Meet nephrologist Dr. Bethany Karl 3:06 – What do your kidneys actually do? 4:24 – What is chronic kidney disease? 5:12 – Kidney disease in type 1 vs. type 2 diabetes 7:21 – Dr. Edelman’s personal kidney health journey 15:23 – Why kidney disease can progress without symptoms 18:24 – The two tests everyone with diabetes should know 21:04 – How often should you have your kidneys checked? 22:03 – Why the UACR urine test matters 24:56 – Blood pressure, cholesterol, and other kidney risk factors 28:37 – How the heart, kidneys, and metabolic health are connected 29:41 – Can the progression of kidney disease be slowed? 31:42 – Diet and lifestyle changes for kidney health 35:07 – Medications that can help protect the kidneys 36:35 – SGLT2 inhibitors and kidney protection 44:30 – Dr. Edelman’s experience with newer kidney therapies 46:19 – Why there’s more hope for kidney disease today This episode was supported by Bayer. 💙 ABOUT TCOYD Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD) is a nonprofit dedicated to educating and motivating people with diabetes to live healthier, more empowered lives — and giving healthcare professionals the tools to help them get there. Founded by Dr. Steve Edelman, who has lived with type 1 diabetes since age 15. 🔗 CONNECT WITH TCOYD Website: https://tcoyd.org Facebook:   / tcoyd   Instagram:   / tcoyd   TikTok:   / tcoyd   LinkedIn:   / tcoyd