IgA nephropathy, sometimes called Berger disease, is a kidney disease where an immune protein called IgA builds up in the kidney filters and causes inflammation over time.
IgA is a normal antibody your body uses to help protect you, especially in places like the nose, throat, lungs, and gut.
In IgA nephropathy, IgA deposits collect in the glomeruli, the tiny filters inside the kidneys.
The inflammation can damage the filters over time, leading to blood in the urine, protein leak, and loss of kidney function.
Some people first notice visible blood in the urine after a cold or other infection. Others have no obvious symptoms and only find out through routine urine or blood tests.
Urine tests to look for blood and protein
Blood tests for creatinine, eGFR, and related kidney markers
Blood pressure review and symptom history
Kidney biopsy in many cases to confirm the diagnosis
Additional workup to rule out other causes of kidney inflammation
A biopsy often matters because blood and protein in the urine can happen in many kidney conditions. The biopsy helps confirm exactly what type of kidney disease is present.
ACE inhibitors or ARBs are often used because they help lower pressure inside the kidney filters and reduce protein in the urine.
Some patients may need steroid-based or other targeted treatment depending on the amount of protein leak, biopsy findings, and rate of kidney decline.
Sodium reduction, blood pressure control, medication review, and regular lab follow-up are key parts of care.
Doctors often watch urine protein, creatinine, and eGFR over time because the disease can behave differently from one person to another.
Protein in the urine, blood pressure, and kidney function over time help tell the real story. Organized tracking makes follow-up visits much more useful.
Get Started - It's Free