Patient education: IgA nephropathy (The Basics)

What is IgA nephropathy? — IgA nephropathy is a condition that happens when a protein called "IgA" builds up in the kidneys. IgA is a type of protein known as an "antibody" that helps the body fight infections. "Nephropathy" is the term doctors use to describe a problem with the kidneys.

The kidneys filter blood and get rid of waste and excess salt and water in the body. IgA nephropathy damages the kidneys so they don't work well.

What are the symptoms of IgA nephropathy? — Most people with the condition have no symptoms, but some people notice blood in their urine. This can happen just once or many times. People who have bloody urine usually get it after a cold or sore throat. Sometimes, blood in the urine cannot be seen, and is only found after a urine test.

Some people also have foamy urine or swelling of the hands and feet.

Are there tests for IgA nephropathy? — Yes. Your doctor or nurse will ask about your symptoms and do an exam. Other tests include:

●Blood tests

●Urine tests

If these tests show that you have kidney damage, your doctor might do a test called a "kidney biopsy." For this test, they take a small sample of tissue from your kidney to look at under the microscope. Usually, the doctor will get this sample by inserting a needle straight through the skin in the back and into the kidney.

How is IgA nephropathy treated? — If your blood and urine tests show that your kidneys are not damaged, you might not need treatment. But you should get blood and urine tests at least once a year to check how well your kidneys are working.

If your blood or urine tests show signs of kidney damage, you might need to take medicines. These can include:

●ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers – These medicines lower blood pressure and help protect the kidney from further damage.

●SGLT2 inhibitors – These medicines are used to treat people with diabetes. They can also be used to protect the kidney from further damage. Your doctor might prescribe 1 of these medicines even if you do not have diabetes.

●Statins – These medicines lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. That's important because people with kidney damage have a high risk of these problems.

●Steroids – These medicines help reduce inflammation in the kidneys. That's important because inflammation can cause scars to form in the kidneys.

What if I want to get pregnant? — If you have IgA nephropathy but do not have signs of kidney damage, your risk of having problems during pregnancy is only slightly higher than that of someone without the condition. But if your kidneys show signs of damage, pregnancy can be dangerous for both you and your baby. The more damaged your kidneys are, the greater the risk of a problem.

Also, common medicines used to treat IgA nephropathy (ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers) can cause birth defects. Because of this, people who might get pregnant should not take these medicines.