IgA Nephropathy, also known as Berger’s disease, is a condition where your immune system harms your kidneys. Normally, your immune system makes a protein called immunoglobulin A (IgA) to fight off infections. But in IgA Nephropathy, an abnormal type of IgA1, called galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1), is made by plasma cells (Immune cells). This abnormal Gd-IgA1 combines with other immune proteins and forms complex, and accumulated in the kidneys. These can cause swelling and damage to the glomeruli filters in the kidneys, which can lead to problems with kidney function. IgA Nephropathy can get worse over time and might lead to kidney failure, where you may need treatments like dialysis or a kidney transplant. However, the good news is new treatments and therapies are continually being developed, offering better management of symptoms and slowing the progression of this disease.
How IgA Nephropathy is diagnosed?
Presence of blood or protein in the urine, which can be observed by the individual or detected by a doctor during a urine test. The appearance of blood in the urine can vary, ranging from brown, cola-coloured, pink, to red. Blood tests may reveal elevated levels of creatinine and cholesterol, suggesting potential kidney dysfunction.
eGFR stands for estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate. It is a calculation that estimates how much blood your kidneys filter each minute. These test also can assess the kidney's ability to filter waste and urine output.This measurement helps determine the stage of kidney disease.
To confirm IgA Nephropathy, doctors need to do a kidney biopsy. This means they take tiny pieces of kidney tissue using a needle and look at it closely under a microscope. The procedure is done with local anesthesia, and they might use ultrasound or CT scan to guide the needle to the right spot. The biopsy helps doctors see if there are IgA antibodies in the kidney filters and check how much damage there is. This information helps them figure out the best way to treat the condition
