Bethenny Frankel Reveals Stage 2 Chronic Kidney Disease Diagnosis

Bethenny Frankel has shared that she has been diagnosed with stage 2 chronic kidney disease, saying she spoke publicly to encourage others to be proactive about their health.

The 55-year-old former star of The Real Housewives of New York City revealed the diagnosis in a TikTok posted on January 22. She said she did not want to alarm fans, but hoped her experience would motivate people to take preventative steps.

“I have a medical announcement — not because I want you to worry, but because I want you to take precautions in your own life,” Frankel said.

Frankel explained that she has been diligent about regular health screenings, including blood work and bone density tests. Over time, repeated blood tests showed her kidney function was consistently lower than normal. Although she was reluctant to see a specialist, she eventually met with a kidney doctor who confirmed the diagnosis.

According to Frankel, the doctor said the condition could be autoimmune-related or possibly linked to a severe allergic reaction she suffered years ago that nearly killed her and may have caused kidney damage.

Stage 2 chronic kidney disease involves a mild loss of kidney function. Doctors often focus on monitoring the condition and managing risk factors, such as high blood pressure, to prevent further progression.

Frankel said the condition may explain why she has experienced recurring urinary tract infections in the past, though they have become less frequent recently. Her doctor’s main recommendation was hydration — something she admitted does not come easily to her.

“I don’t drink a lot of water,” she said, noting that while she often carries a bottle, she does not drink from it regularly. She added that her doctor told her, “Water is your medicine,” recommending she drink about 1.5 gallons a day and use hydration packets if needed.

She was also advised to stop taking certain medications and supplements, including ibuprofen, Aleve, Advil, turmeric, and some foods — including ice cream, which she jokingly admitted she was eating during the video.

The diagnosis comes after several recent health challenges for Frankel. In 2023, she revealed she had been diagnosed with long COVID and the autoimmune condition POTS. Earlier this month, she also battled a bacterial infection while vacationing in St. Barth’s.

Frankel said she decided to share her diagnosis because it may be something she manages long-term, and she wants others to learn from her experience.

“Get all your bloodwork done. Be thorough,” she advised. “Then do the follow-ups for anything that seems like an outlier.”

She also suggested repeating blood tests six months apart, explaining that while some results may be temporary, others can reveal a concerning pattern — as was the case for her.

“In this case, it was a pattern,” Frankel said, adding that she is still learning what the diagnosis means and hopes to gain more insight from medical professionals — and informed followers — online.