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IgA Nephropathy (IgAN)
IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) is a kidney disease in which Immunoglobulin A (IgA) builds up in the kidney. IgA is a protein in the blood. IgA is also part of the immune system. Excess IgA can cause inflammation in the kidney. Over time, this leads to scarring in the kidney tissue. The severity of kidney disease caused by IgAN varies from person to person. As IgAN progresses, it reduces the kidneys’ ability to filter waste from the blood.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Miriam Chung, M.D.
Who Gets IgAN
IgAN can occur at any age. Doctors most often diagnose it in people between 20 and 30 years old. The condition happens mostly in people of East Asian and European ancestry.
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms of IgAN are different for every patient. Some symptoms occur even when kidney function blood test results are normal.
Common signs of IgAN include:
- Blood in the urine
- Dark or “cola” colored urine after a viral infection (cold, respiratory illness, sore throat)
- Blood in urine only detected by a urine test
- Protein in the urine
When IgAN progresses, blood tests for kidney function will show abnormal results. Advanced IgAN kidney disease can lead to kidney failure.
Diagnosing IgAN
The only test that can diagnose IgAN is a kidney biopsy.
During the procedure, your doctor removes a sample of kidney tissue and studies it under a microscope. Doctors often use a biopsy to confirm a diagnosis after blood and urine tests show signs of the condition.
- Blood tests can show high levels of waste in the blood, a sign the kidneys are not properly filtering the blood
- Urine tests can reveal the presence of blood or protein
Your Treatment Options
There is no cure for IgAN. Your doctor may prescribe several treatments to help manage your symptoms.
- Managing blood pressure. Blood pressure control is very important in treating IgAN symptoms. Blood pressure medications such as ACE inhibitors (angiotensin-converting enzymes) or ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers) can help lower blood pressure and protein in the urine.
- Lowering protein in the urine. In addition to ACE inhibitors and ARB medicines, doctors may also prescribe other medications to lower urine protein, such as:
- SGLT2 inhibitors
- Medicines that block endothelin and angiotensin 2 protein receptors
- Reducing immune system response. Doctors may recommend steroids or similar medication to help lower urine protein.
- Participation in clinical trial. Some medical centers may have clinical trials for IgAN.
Clinical trials are another treatment option.
Your doctor helps you find the right study for you. These trials test more targeted treatments with potentially lower risks of side effects.
Some clinical trials enroll patients, based on their genetic testing results, to test the effectiveness of precision-based therapies targeted to specific genetic changes.
Tips For Living With IgAN
Patients with IgAN benefit from supportive measures including:
Exercise
Regular, moderate activity helps manage your blood pressure and weight and improves your overall well-being.
Prescription Regimen
Follow your doctor’s instructions and take your medicines as prescribed.
Regular Check-Ups
See your doctor as scheduled to monitor your kidney function and quickly address any changes.
Kidney Transplant IgA Nephropathy
When IgAN causes progressive kidney failure, transplantation is the treatment of choice. Doctors use a transplant kidney biopsy to check for recurrent IgAN. The condition appears in 20% to 50% of patients. However, recurrent IgAN is often less severe and may not cause significant kidney disease.
Living with IgAN: Personal Stories
IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) is a rare kidney disease that causes inflammation in the kidney’s filtering units, which can result in kidney damage and may lead to kidney failure.
For many patients, a journey with IgAN is a difficult one. Hear the stories of patients from different backgrounds and lifestyles who have dealt first-hand the challenges that come with living with a rare kidney disease.
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