IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a kidney disease that can cause inflammation and damage to the kidneys due to the deposition of the immunoglobulin A (IgA) protein in the tiny filters in the kidneys, called ‘glomeruli’, which can lead to kidney dysfunction. The diagnostic process for IgAN usually involves a combination of tests to evaluate kidney function and determine the extent of damage.
One of the first steps in diagnosing IgAN is evaluating the patient's symptoms, which may include blood in the urine, proteinuria (protein in the urine), and high blood pressure. A urine test and a blood test can help measure protein and creatinine levels, respectively, which are important indicators of kidney function.
The glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which measures how blood is being filtered by the kidneys each minute, is also an important diagnostic test. If IgAN is suspected, a kidney biopsy may be performed to confirm the diagnosis and assess the extent of the damage.
While medical tests such as blood and urine tests can provide valuable information about kidney function and the presence of IgAN, a kidney biopsy is the most definitive test for diagnosing the disease. However, you and your doctor should also be aware of common IgAN symptoms, such as:
It is important to know that not everyone with IgAN will experience symptoms, especially in the early stages of the disease. This is why it’s important to undergo regular medical check-ups and kidney function tests to detect the disease early and start treatment as soon as possible. If you have any concerns about your kidney health, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor.
To diagnose and evaluate the severity of IgAN, your doctor may recommend a kidney biopsy. Here’s what you can expect during the procedure:
After the biopsy, it’s important to work closely with your doctor to manage your IgAN symptoms. This may include learning about IgA nephropathy foods to avoid, controlling your blood pressure, and addressing other underlying health conditions that can worsen IgAN symptoms. Some patients may require medication or other treatments to slow the progression of the disease.
While there is no cure for IgAN, symptoms can be managed, and patients can go on to live a fulfilling life. Undergoing a kidney biopsy is one of the first steps in evaluating the severity of your illness and determining the best course of treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about the biopsy procedure or your IgAN diagnosis, don’t hesitate to speak with your doctor.
Recognizing the progression of IgAN is important for managing symptoms. IgAN stages include:
It’s important to recognize IgAN symptoms at each stage of the disease to manage your health appropriately. By managing their health and working closely with your doctor, you can oftentimes slow the progression of IgAN.
Eating a healthy diet is an important part of managing IgAN symptoms. The standard IgA nephropathy diet consists of low-sodium, low-potassium foods. It’s important to work closely with your healthcare provider to develop a diet plan that meets your unique needs and includes IgA nephropathy foods to avoid.
An IgAN diet book can be a valuable resource for those looking to take an active role in managing their kidney disease through dietary modifications. While there is no one-size-fits-all diet for IgAN, a diet book can provide helpful guidance on how to make healthy food choices that can support overall kidney health and slow the progression of the disease.
These books often include IgA nephropathy diet recipes, which can be especially helpful for those that have just been diagnosed with the disease and need to restructure their diet. By learning to cook new and varied recipes, you can take control of your symptoms and improve your quality of life. If you have any questions about your diet and IgAN be sure to speak with your doctor.
IgAN treatment depends on the severity of the disease, the extent of kidney damage, and the symptoms that the patient is experiencing. Immunosuppressants and steroids are two options for managing IgAN symptoms.
Immunosuppressants work by suppressing the immune system to prevent the body from attacking the kidneys, which can reduce symptoms and stop the disease from progressing. Steroids decrease inflammation in the kidneys and can reduce proteinuria. However, steroids can also have undesired side effects, such as an increased risk of infection and weight gain.
Tarpeyo, a type of steroid, is also used to treat IgAN by reducing inflammation in the kidneys.
By working closely with your doctor and finding the right treatment options, you can better manage IgAN flare-up symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. Patients should speak with their doctors to determine which types of treatments and medications are right for them.
IgAN doesn’t currently have a cure, and there is a relatively high recurrence rate for kidney transplant patients. However, by making the right lifestyle changes, patients can reduce IgAN flare-up symptoms and prevent the disease from worsening. Here are some of the things patients can do to improve their health:
Although there isn’t a cure for IgAN yet, patients can contribute to research to aid in the development of new and improved treatments. PicnicHealth allows patients to participate in research from home and receive updates on how the research is evolving. In doing so, patients can help with larger-scale IgAN research and improve the quality of care.
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List the names of all the doctors, hospitals, and other facilities your loved one visits regularly, along with those they have visited in the past. Try to go back as far as you can, striving for at least the last 5-10 years, but do your best. Even if you can’t remember them all, having a strong baseline can help you quickly identify gaps in records.
It is important to make sure that you are fully empowered to make decisions on behalf of your loved one with Alzheimer’s. Your relationship status with the patient may not be enough to legally give you access to your loved one's medical information. It is a good idea to talk to an expert about securing special legal status, such as Power of Attorney (POA), a legal document that allows an individual to name someone as their decision maker should they no longer be able to make decisions on their own.
It’s important to have all of your loved one’s medical records together in one spot. This makes it much easier for you and your loved one’s physicians to accurately map the patient’s medical journey and more easily share information between doctors. Fortunately, tools exist to make record management and access simple. A free resource like PicnicHealth helps you collect and organize all of this information. PicnicHealth’s intuitive timeline allows you to pinpoint data across the medical history, eliminating your need for keeping heavy binders filled with paper records or keeping track of multiple software portal logins.
The better you understand your loved one's medical history, the better you can advocate on their behalf. Access and understanding of this information will help you to ask informed questions with physicians. Through regular communication backed by the data in the medical records, you can help your loved one’s care team develop a more successful care plan.
Learn more about PicnicHealth’s commitment to the Alzheimer’s community and the Alzheimer’s Association
Learn MoreWhen you’re juggling appointment times and insurance claims, putting a robust support system together might not strike you as the most urgent task. Investing the time to cultivate relationships with people can turn to in times of need will pay dividends. The next time you need a last-minute ride or just someone to listen, you won’t be on your own.
There are many condition-specific support groups and support groups for caregivers generally in person or online. In addition to the encouragement and empathy they provide, support groups can be a helpful source of tips, resources, and recommendations for navigating caregiving.
The backbone of effective caregiving is organization. Keep medical information, appointment schedules, and medication lists in order. Use a planner or a digital service like PicnicHealth to stay on top of your responsibilities. This attention to detail can prevent future complications and reduce day-to-day stress.
We’ve seen incredible breakthroughs in treatment over the past couple of years, powered by patients and their caregivers participating in research. Stay in the loop about the latest in medical advancements and available resources that could benefit your loved one. Whether it’s a new therapy option or a community service that aids independence, being informed can make a world of difference in the quality of care you provide.
It may seem self-centered to focus on self-care—but when you feel good, you can be a better caregiver. Whether it’s exercise, a mindfulness practice, a soak in the bath, or just time to rest when you need it, carve out those moments in the day when you can unwind, reset, and stay healthy mentally and physically. Think of it as building up your reserves of kindness, patience, and understanding—which can only benefit your loved one. No one can pour from an empty cup.
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Learn More(from 13 patients with LC-FAOD)
38% Female
15 providers / patient
7.5 years of data / patient
(from 13 patients with LC-FAOD)
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