Does Diabetes Cause Liver or Kidney Failure

Diabetes is characterized by the high blood sugar which can damage any organ of the body. If blood sugar is out of control for a long time, complications occur.

Liver Problems

Diabetes may put diabetics at risk of developing some form of liver disease. Long-term high blood sugar increases the risk of developing fatty tissue within the liver, leading to scarring of the liver which is known as nonalcoholic cirrhosis.

When a person develops nonalcoholic cirrhosis, they may experience fatigue and weakness. Some patients may lose weight. This disease is silent which may be years before the symptoms begin to occur. When the liver becomes hardened, it is unable to function as it normally would. Complications can result in bleeding of the intestines, fluid retention and liver failure.

Diabetes and kidney disease

Diabetes kidney disease is a complication of diabetes. Long-term high blood sugar increases the blood flow through the kidneys. The kidneys have to work harder to meet the needs of the body. Over time, permanent damage to kidneys occurs. The kidneys structures leak, and proteins are excreted into urine. Left untreated, nephropathy can lead to illness and eventually death.

A person who develops diabetes kidney disease will experience the symptoms such as swelling, fatigue, high blood pressure, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, itching skin and other symptoms. In the early stage, there are no obvious symptoms. Over time, symptoms of kidney failure begin to manifest. Worse still, diabetes kidney disease progresses faster than non-diabetes and dialysis will come soon.


Besides liver and kidney disease, diabetes can cause a lot of other complications. High blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, eye disease and nerve damage are all possibilities. Diabetic ketoacidosis results in possible coma or even death. Some complications are life-threatening. Therefore, it is vital to control blood sugar.