Bethenny Frankel Says Doctor Diagnosed Her With Stage 2 Chronic Kidney Disease

Bethenny Frankel Says Doctor Diagnosed Her With Stage 2 Chronic Kidney Disease

Bethenny Frankel is sharing more details about her recent health scare. In a Jan. 22 TikTok, the Real Housewives of New York alum revealed she has been diagnosed with stage 2 chronic kidney disease, saying she spoke out not to alarm fans, but to encourage others to stay on top of their health.

According to Frankel, the diagnosis came during a meeting with a kidney specialist earlier that day. “He said to me, ‘You have stage 2 chronic kidney disease,’” she recalled, explaining that the cause is still unclear. She said it could be autoimmune — or possibly linked to a past traumatic incident when she nearly died from a severe allergic reaction that may have caused kidney damage.

Frankel noted that stage 2 kidney disease involves a mild loss of kidney function and can be managed with monitoring and lifestyle changes. She added that the condition may explain recurring infections she’s dealt with over the years. “I do get UTIs, not as much anymore,” she shared.

Hydration, however, has been her biggest challenge. “I don’t drink a lot of water,” Frankel admitted, even while holding a bottle during the video. She said her doctor was direct, telling her, “Water is your medicine,” and recommending she drink roughly 1.5 gallons a day, with hydration packets if needed.

The Skinnygirl founder also revealed she was instructed to cut out common medications and supplements, including ibuprofen, Aleve, Advil, turmeric, and even ice cream — which she joked she was eating on camera at the time. “I remembered after,” she said.

Frankel emphasized that her reason for sharing the diagnosis was awareness, urging viewers to pay attention to their bodies, keep up with routine testing, and not delay follow-up appointments — even when it’s tempting to put them off.