IgA Nephropathy (Berger Disease)

What is IgA Nephropathy (Berger Disease)?

IgA nephropathy is a kidney disease that happens when antibodies called immunoglobulin A build up in your kidneys. These antibodies are proteins your immune system makes to fight infections. When too much IgA deposits in the tiny filters of your kidneys, it causes inflammation and damage over time.

This condition is also called Berger disease, named after the doctor who first described it in 1968. It is one of the most common types of glomerulonephritis, which means inflammation of the glomeruli. Glomeruli are the tiny filtering units in your kidneys that clean waste from your blood. When they get damaged, protein and blood can leak into your urine.

IgA nephropathy affects people differently. Some people have mild disease that never gets worse. Others develop kidney damage that progresses slowly over 10 to 20 years. About 25 to 30 percent of people with IgA nephropathy eventually develop kidney failure that requires dialysis or a kidney transplant.

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Symptoms

Blood in the urine, often appearing as pink or cola-colored urine
Foamy urine caused by protein leaking into urine
Swelling in the hands, feet, or face from fluid retention
High blood pressure
Flank pain on one or both sides of the back
Fatigue and low energy levels
Episodes of visible blood in urine during or after infections

Many people with IgA nephropathy have no symptoms in the early stages. The condition is often discovered during routine urine tests that show blood or protein. Some people only notice symptoms during respiratory infections or after intense exercise.

Causes and risk factors

The exact cause of IgA nephropathy is not fully understood. Researchers believe it happens when the immune system makes abnormal IgA antibodies that clump together and get trapped in the kidneys. These deposits trigger inflammation that damages the filtering units over time. Genetics play a role, as the condition runs in families and is more common in certain ethnic groups, especially people of Asian and Caucasian descent.

Several factors may increase your risk of developing IgA nephropathy. Men are two to three times more likely to develop this condition than women. It most often appears in the late teens to late 30s. Having chronic liver disease, celiac disease, or infections can trigger or worsen the condition. Some studies suggest that respiratory and intestinal infections may activate the abnormal immune response that leads to IgA deposits in the kidneys.

How it's diagnosed

Doctors diagnose IgA nephropathy through a combination of urine tests, blood tests, and a kidney biopsy. Urine tests show blood and protein in the urine, which are key signs of kidney damage. Blood tests measure kidney function and look for elevated IgA levels. Cystatin C is a blood test that monitors kidney function and helps predict how quickly the disease may progress to kidney failure.

A kidney biopsy is the only way to confirm IgA nephropathy for certain. During this procedure, doctors remove a small piece of kidney tissue and examine it under a microscope. The biopsy shows IgA deposits in the glomeruli and reveals how much damage has occurred. Rite Aid offers Cystatin C testing as an add-on to our blood test panel. This test helps track kidney function decline and monitor your response to treatment over time.

Treatment options

Blood pressure medications, especially ACE inhibitors and ARBs, to protect kidney function
Fish oil supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids to reduce inflammation
Corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs for people with rapidly progressing disease
Low-sodium diet to help control blood pressure and reduce swelling
Limiting protein intake to reduce stress on damaged kidneys
Treating infections promptly to prevent disease flares
Maintaining a healthy weight through balanced nutrition and regular activity
Avoiding smoking, which can speed up kidney damage
Regular monitoring of kidney function through blood and urine tests
Dialysis or kidney transplant for advanced kidney failure

Frequently asked questions

IgA nephropathy is a kidney disease where immunoglobulin A antibodies build up in the filtering units of your kidneys. These deposits cause inflammation and damage that can progress over many years. About 25 to 30 percent of people with this condition develop kidney failure within 20 years. Regular monitoring helps catch progression early so treatment can slow damage.

Many people have no symptoms in the early stages. The first sign is often blood or protein found in urine during routine testing. Some people notice pink or cola-colored urine during or after respiratory infections. Foamy urine, swelling in the hands or feet, and high blood pressure can also be early signs.

Diagnosis starts with urine tests that show blood and protein, plus blood tests to check kidney function. Cystatin C is a blood test that measures how well your kidneys are filtering waste. The only way to confirm IgA nephropathy is through a kidney biopsy, where doctors examine kidney tissue under a microscope to look for IgA deposits.

Yes, blood tests like Cystatin C monitor kidney function and help predict disease progression. Cystatin C is more sensitive than standard creatinine tests for detecting early kidney decline. Regular testing shows if the disease is stable or getting worse, which helps doctors adjust treatment plans.

The exact cause is unknown, but it involves the immune system making abnormal IgA antibodies that deposit in the kidneys. Genetics play a role, as the condition runs in families and affects certain ethnic groups more often. Infections, especially respiratory and intestinal infections, may trigger the abnormal immune response in susceptible people.

There is no cure for IgA nephropathy, but treatment can slow or stop kidney damage in many people. Some people have mild disease that stays stable for decades with minimal treatment. Others need medications to control blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and protect kidney function. The goal is to prevent progression to kidney failure.

ACE inhibitors and ARBs are the main medications used to control blood pressure and protect the kidneys. Fish oil supplements with omega-3 fatty acids help reduce kidney inflammation. People with rapidly progressing disease may need corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs. Your doctor chooses medications based on your disease severity and risk factors.

A low-sodium diet helps control blood pressure and reduces fluid retention and swelling. Limiting protein intake may reduce stress on damaged kidneys, though this depends on disease stage. Eating anti-inflammatory foods like fish, vegetables, and whole grains supports overall kidney health. Always discuss dietary changes with your doctor or a dietitian.

Most doctors recommend blood and urine tests every 3 to 6 months to monitor kidney function and protein levels. Cystatin C testing helps track how well your kidneys are working over time. More frequent testing may be needed if your disease is progressing or if you start new medications.

Yes, lifestyle changes can help protect your kidneys. Maintaining healthy blood pressure through diet and exercise is critical. Avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol, and treating infections promptly all help slow damage. Regular monitoring with blood tests like Cystatin C lets you see if your efforts are working.