Bethenny Frankel Opens Up About Her Stage 2 Chronic Kidney Disease: Why Regular Bloodwork Is Important

Bethenny Frankel shared that she has kidney disease in a Jan. 22 TikTok.
Credit :

Bethenny Frankel/TikTok (2)

NEED TO KNOW

• Bethenny Frankel revealed that she has stage 2 chronic kidney disease.
• The reality alum was referred to a specialist after multiple blood tests showed “my kidney function was coming up low.”
• She urged followers to stay up-to-date on their doctor appointments and bloodwork.

Bethenny Frankel, known for her role on *The Real Housewives of New York*, disclosed her diagnosis of stage 2 chronic kidney disease in a TikTok video on January 22.

“I have a medical announcement. Not because I want you to worry, but because I want you to take precautions in your own life, be mindful,” the 55-year-old said in the video.

As the founder of SkinnyGirl, Frankel explained that she had been proactive about her health, undergoing numerous tests. Despite her vigilance, the results indicated low kidney function, prompting her referral to a kidney specialist. “I didn’t want to go … I didn’t feel like going today,” she admitted.

During her appointment that day, the specialist shared the diagnosis, stating, “You have stage 2 chronic kidney disease.” He indicated that the condition could be autoimmune or possibly related to a previous traumatic allergy attack that nearly claimed her life, noting that it might have caused damage to her kidneys.

According to the Mayo Clinic, stage 2 kidney disease is characterized by a “mild loss of kidney function.” Regular monitoring and blood pressure management are essential to prevent further progression of the disease.

Frankel noted that her diagnosis likely led to recurring infections. “I do get UTIs, not as much anymore,” she said, mentioning that hydration is key to her treatment — an area where she has struggled. “I don’t drink a lot of water … I’m holding a bottle, but I’m not usually drinking it,” she confessed.

After revealing her preference for kombucha, she recounted her doctor’s advice: “Water is your medicine. You have to drink a giant — I think he said 1.5 [gallons] — ‘and you can put your hydration packets in it.’”

Additionally, the doctor recommended that she avoid certain medications, including ibuprofen and Advil, as well as ice cream, which she was eating during the video. “I remembered after,” she reflected.

Bethenny Frankel in Wimbledon, England, in July 2025.

Hoda Davaine/Getty

This diagnosis adds to a troubling series of health issues for Frankel, who has previously been diagnosed with long COVID and the autoimmune disorder POTS in 2023. Earlier this year, she also suffered a bacterial infection while vacationing in St. Barth’s.

Frankel emphasized the importance of transparency regarding her health issues, stating, “maybe this is something I’ll have to deal with forever, but I just wanted to tell you because I think it’s important to go get all your bloodwork done.”

“Be thorough,” she urged her followers. “Then do the follow-ups for anything that seems like an outlier. And frankly, get your bloodwork done maybe six months and then six months later, because different stuff could come up and sometimes it’s an aberration and sometimes it means something.”

She concluded by highlighting the significance of recognizing patterns in health conditions and encouraged her followers to seek informed opinions. “I don’t know exactly what it means. Many of you will, which is also why I’m sharing with you.”