FAQs

What is IgA Nephropathy?

IgA Nephropathy is a type of glomerular disease that happens when immunoglobulin A (IgA) builds up in the kidneys. This results in inflammation and damage to kidney tissue.⁵

How did I get IgA Nephropathy?

Currently, it’s unclear how this condition is contracted or develops. A family history of chronic kidney disease is not a sign that someone will get IgA Nephropathy. It may be linked to defects in immune system response or medical treatment for immunosuppressive problems such as asthma or psoriasis. For now, it’s impossible to protect against but, thankfully, it’s not contagious.

How common is IgA Nephropathy?

Chronic kidney disease may affect around 15% of the population¹, with many people unaware that their kidney function is slowly diminishing. The number of people globally with IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) is much lower. In Europe, the prevalence, or current number of cases, of IgAN is 253 per million people across all age groups². The incidence, or number of new cases diagnosed each year, is estimated to be at least 25 per million people worldwide³. That’s why we’re striving to connect these small, yet steadily increasing, numbers of people across the IgAN Friends community.

Is there a cure for IgA Nephropathy?

Currently, there’s no cure for IgA Nephropathy. Effective treatment will help slow down progression and reduce the severity of symptoms.⁴

Treatment for IgA Nephropathy aims to:⁵

Slow down the rate at which the disease progresses
Prevent further damage to the kidneys
Normalise blood pressure
Reduce the amount of protein lost in urine

Speak to your doctor about treatment options. It’s important to remember, you can continue to live well with proper IgA Nephropathy management.⁶

Will my children get IgA Nephropathy?

IgA Nephropathy is not hereditary. Although evidence suggests some families are predisposed to developing the disease, the condition is triggered somehow by unknown clinical factors. Rest assured, you cannot pass this directly on to your children.

“You have questions: what is going on? What is happening with my family? What is happening with my work? Can I live in the house where I live? What’s my lifetime to survive? … I talked to some people who were already on dialysis for several years. They said, ‘I came home and I was another person.’ Only peer patients can tell you that, because they have their own experience. ”

Jan, IgAN Patient, Netherlands

How will IgA Nephropathy affect my kidneys?

It’s difficult to predict what will happen in each case of IgA Nephropathy. The condition does not immediately impede the ability of your kidneys to filter blood and remove waste products in the body. Gradual damage can happen over many years through localised scarring of kidney tissue.

Do I now need to follow a special diet?

Eating healthily is important at all stages of the condition. Your doctor will discuss your individual dietary needs and advise you on ways to support your long-term kidney health. Extra information can be found in the ‘Eating well with IgA Nephropathy’ section of this website.

How does protein get into my urine?

In IgA Nephropathy, the filters (glomeruli) in your kidneys are damaged and allow protein (albumin) to leak into your urine.⁵

If you’re being treated for IgA Nephropathy and the level of protein in your urine either reduces or stays the same, it can mean that treatment is working effectively.⁷

How does blood get into my urine?

In IgA Nephropathy, blood in your urine (haematuria) means that the filters (glomeruli) in your kidneys are damaged and are allowing blood cells to leak into your urine.⁸

This may be a symptom of other glomerular diseases, but other causes could be:^7,8

Infection or inflammation of the bladder, kidney, urethra or prostate
Kidney stones
A recent procedure to the urinary tract
Vigorous exercise
Sexual activity
Endometriosis
Bladder, kidney or prostate cancer
Disorders that affect how your blood clots, such as haemophilia
Sickle cell disease

It’s essential to speak to your doctor as soon as possible if you spot blood in your urine.

References

Hirst JA, et al. Br J Gen Pract 2020 Apr; 70(693): e285–e293. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7015167/#:~:text=INTRODUCTION-,Chronic%20kidney%20disease%20(CKD)%20is%20a%20largely%20asymptomatic,condition%20of%20diminished%20renal%20function.&text=It%20has%20an%20estimated%20prevalence,NHS%20of%201.4%20billion%20GBP. Accessed June 2024
Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation Journal. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37156519/. Accessed February 2025.
Clinical Kidney Journal. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10695519/#:~:text=The%20incidence%20of%20adult%20IgAN,6%20pmp%2Fyear)%20and%20membranoproliferative. Accessed February 2025.
American Kidney Fund. IgA nephropathy. Available at: https://www.kidneyfund.org/all-about-kidneys/other-kidney-diseases/iga-nephropathy. Accessed June 2023.
NIDDK. IgA Nephropathy. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/iga-nephropathy. Accessed June 2023.
National Kidney Foundation. IgA Nephropathy. Available at: https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/iganeph
NIDDK. Albuminuria: albumin in the urine. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/tests-diagnosis/albuminuria-albumin-urine. Accessed June 2023.
NIDDK. Hematuria (blood in the urine). Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/hematuria-blood-urine. Accessed June 2023.