IgA Nephropathy: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats IgA Nephropathy?
A nephrologist, a kidney doctor, most often treats IgA nephropathy. Treatment can help prevent or delay damage to your kidneys. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is IgA nephropathy?
IgA nephropathy is a common kidney disease. Clumps of antibodies build up in the kidneys and cause inflammation and kidney damage. Antibodies are proteins that help the body fight infections. The glomeruli are tiny blood vessels in your kidneys that filter blood. When clumps damage them, your kidneys leak blood and protein into your urine.
IgA nephropathy is also called Berger disease. It can appear suddenly, or it can get worse slowly over many years.
Symptoms
Symptoms can vary and may not appear for years or even decades.
- Pink or cola-colored urine, from blood in the urine.
- Foamy urine, from protein leaking into the urine.
- Swelling in the legs, feet, ankles, or other parts of the body, from extra fluid.
- Repeated episodes of dark or bloody urine.
- Bloody urine that starts during or soon after a respiratory infection.
These symptoms are common across diseases and do not, by themselves, suggest that you have IgA nephropathy.
Complications can include high blood pressure, which can further damage your kidneys. They can also include chronic kidney disease, the slow loss of kidney function over many years. The last is kidney failure, when your kidneys do not work well enough to support your body's needs. About 1 in 5 people with IgA nephropathy develop kidney failure within 10 years of diagnosis.
Causes and who gets it
The cause of IgA nephropathy is unknown, but research suggests that genes and the environment may play a role. In some people, the first signs may show up after a cold, sore throat, or other respiratory infection. IgA nephropathy is more common in people who:
- Have a family history of the disease.
- Have certain health conditions, such as celiac disease, hepatitis, and HIV infection.
- Are ages 10 to 40.
- Are of East Asian or white European ancestry.
- Are male.
How doctors diagnose it
Your doctor will do a physical exam, review your symptoms and family history, and order urine and blood tests to see how well your kidneys work. IgA nephropathy is most often discovered when a person with no other symptoms of kidney problems has one or more episodes of dark or bloody urine.
To make a diagnosis, your doctor will order a kidney biopsy. The biopsy can show IgA deposits in your glomeruli and the amount of damage to your kidneys. It can also help predict how the disease will affect your kidneys and help guide treatment.
Treatment
Doctors, in most cases kidney experts called nephrologists, treat IgA nephropathy in several ways.
- Medicines that help reduce blood pressure and the loss of protein in the urine.
- In most cases, a doctor will prescribe an ACE inhibitor or an ARB. These medicines help control high blood pressure and swelling.
- Statins, medicines that lower cholesterol and help prevent heart disease.
- Limiting salt in your diet and quitting smoking.
In some cases, doctors also prescribe corticosteroids or other medicines that suppress the immune system. These medicines can cause serious side effects, such as weight gain or a weakened immune system. Limiting salt may help reduce swelling and lower blood pressure.
Researchers have not yet found a cure for IgA nephropathy, but treatment can help prevent or delay damage to your kidneys. New treatments are under development. In many cases, IgA nephropathy does not get worse over time. If it progresses to kidney failure, you may need a kidney transplant or dialysis, which are blood-filtering treatments.
When to see a doctor
Contact your health care provider if you have bloody urine or if you are producing less urine than usual. If you have a family history of the disease, ask your health care professional how to keep your kidneys healthy.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, or a sudden change in mental state.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can review your symptoms and family history and order urine and blood tests to see how well your kidneys work. Damage to your kidneys caused by IgA nephropathy can increase blood pressure, and high blood pressure can further damage your kidneys.
Common questions
Is IgA nephropathy the same as Berger disease?
Yes. IgA nephropathy is also called Berger disease.
Can IgA nephropathy be cured?
Not yet. Researchers have not yet found a cure, but treatment can help prevent or delay damage to your kidneys.
Does IgA nephropathy lead to kidney failure?
It can, but not always. In many cases, IgA nephropathy does not get worse over time. About 1 in 5 people with IgA nephropathy develop kidney failure within 10 years of diagnosis.
Can I prevent IgA nephropathy?
No. You cannot prevent IgA nephropathy. If you have a family history of the disease, ask your health care professional how to keep your kidneys healthy.
Does what I eat cause IgA nephropathy?
No evidence shows that it does. Researchers have not found evidence that eating, diet, and nutrition play a role in causing or preventing IgA nephropathy.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
