A 27-year-old man who regularly runs marathons thought he was as healthy as possible. But, doctors confirmed his problems had only just begun when he thought his toe was broken.
Niven Hopkins, from Bolton, near Lancs, was stunned to learn he needed a new kidney after his toe swelled massively in July last year. He was diagnosed with stage four chronic kidney disease, and doctors informed him that his kidneys were too damaged for a biopsy.
Recounting his ordeal, Niven said: “I couldn’t walk, I struggled to get a doctor’s appointment for the first couple of days so I couldn’t take any medication or anything. I just kind of had to battle it.”
He also shared how his doctor was surprised by his condition, saying: “I managed to see the doctor and he said ‘we weren’t expecting someone like you to walk in, so young and healthy. We were expecting someone a bit older or overweight’.”
His life took a dramatic turn when he received an early morning call at about 5am telling him to go to the Royal Bolton Hospital immediately due to his failing kidneys, reports the Mirror. Niven added: “That was a big shock, obviously. My girlfriend was in tears. I was in there for about six days, where I was on a drip and undergoing loads of examinations.”
Niven Hopkins was diagnosed with stage four chronic kidney disease after his foot ballooned to four times the size in July last year.
(Image: Niven Hopkins © SWNS)
Niven was diagnosed with stage four chronic kidney disease at the hospital, with tests revealing his kidneys were only functioning at around 15%. Kidney disease can lead to swollen toes as a result of fluid retention. This happens when the kidneys fail to filter blood effectively, causing excess fluid to accumulate in the body’s tissues.
Despite doctors suggesting a high-protein diet may have contributed to his condition, Niven remains sceptical. He said: I wasn’t overly eating protein, it was regular. I’d have it with every meal, I’d have like eggs or the usual healthy stuff like chicken and at tea it’d be meat.
“I wasn’t having protein shakes, I don’t have protein shakes, I’d rather eat whole, natural foods. The shock of the gout was one thing, and then I had a kidney biopsy and they said ‘Yeah, your kidneys are in that bad of a condition we can’t get a sample to test it’.”
Dieticians advised the electrical and air conditioning engineer to eliminate dark-coloured fizzy drinks and red meat from his diet as well as reduce his salt intake. Currently, he is awaiting a pre-transplant assessment in February, hoping to be matched with a donor and avoid weekly, hours-long dialysis sessions.
According to the National Kidney Foundation, many studies suggest that limiting the amount of protein and including more plant-based foods in the diet may help slow the loss of kidney function. This is because the more protein waste that needs to be removed, the harder the kidneys need to work to get rid of it, causing the organs serious stress when they’re already in poor condition.
Niven shocked doctors with his problems – who believed he’d be an otherwise ‘young and healthy’ patient
(Image: Niven Hopkins © SWNS)
A keen runner, Niven has already completed the Manchester and Barcelona Marathons. Even before his diagnosis, he had signed up for the 2025 London Marathon in aid of Kidney Care UK.
His decision to support the charity was inspired by witnessing his mother, Susan, 60, battle her own kidney issues. He said: “My mum’s had two kidney transplants. I’ve seen her go through it all and seeing my mum go through that was a horrible experience, that was really eye-opening.
“To hear I’m going to have to go through it all, being in shock wasn’t the word.” The 27-year-old has impressively raised over £3,000 for charity in an online fundraiser you can find here.
Despite his condition causing fatigue and pain, Niven continues to work and train for the marathon. He explained: “I do get fatigued quite easily, now I’m working all day then I’m going to the gym and having a run so that does also have an effect, so it’s hard to pinpoint that directly on the kidneys.
“I have kidney pains, so my lower back where the kidneys are located. Some days it’s really painful, almost like a dead leg but in your kidneys, a really dull, long pain, but I just kind of get on with it.”