Be proactive about your
kidney health

Ways to manage
IgAN (IgA nephropathy).

Living with IgAN can feel challenging at times as you balance lifestyle changes, regular doctor visits, and uncertainty about your health. But there are resources and tools that have been created to support you. It’s important to find what works best for you and your lifestyle.

Try using these strategies to help you manage life with IgAN. Click on each topic below to learn more.

Be proactive Know your numbers Doctor visits IgAN tests

Join a
community

Finding a support system that works for you is important. Advocacy groups, family and friends, and social media forums are all great places to start.

Proactively track
test results

Taking an active role in your health management by tracking your test results can help you feel more in control.

Stay
informed

Gaining a deeper understanding of IgAN and how the science around it is changing can help prepare you for conversations with your doctor about management options.

Regular monitoring
is important

Regular monitoring is one of the most important things you can do to stay on top of your kidney health. Lab tests can assess whether silent kidney damage is occurring, and they may also be used to determine if changes need to be made to your IgAN care plan. Since IgAN can progress without noticeable symptoms, using lab tests to track key health markers over time may help you and your doctor better understand changes in your condition.

The levels of protein
in your urine

It is generally recommended to keep proteinuria under 1 gram (1000 mg) per day (g/d). However, recent research shows that this level may be too high. Many kidney specialists now recommend keeping your proteinuria lower—below 0.5 or 0.3 grams per day—to better preserve your kidney function. Talk to your doctor about setting proteinuria goals.

Your eGFR (estimated
glomerular filtration rate)

Knowing your eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) is important because it helps you understand how well your kidneys are filtering waste from your blood. This test acts like a kidney health scorecard, with higher numbers indicating better kidney function. Some gradual decline in eGFR numbers over time is normal, but rapid decline or large levels of decline are not.

Your eGFR directly corresponds to the stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Generally, an eGFR measurement above 90 is normal, while lower numbers indicate increasing stages of CKD. Stage 1 means your kidneys are still able to filter waste out of your blood. Stage 4 or 5 means your kidneys must work harder to filter your blood and may stop working altogether.

Proactively monitor
and manage

Receiving a clinical diagnosis of IgAN may feel daunting, but you can play an active role in your care.

By taking proactive steps, you may help manage your condition and possibly feel more confident about your health.

Since IgAN is a progressive, chronic, autoimmune kidney disease, staying on top of your care often means consistent monitoring and ongoing management. Know your numbers and talk to your doctor about setting goals when managing your IgAN.

Making the most of your doctor’s visits

Being able to have an open conversation about your condition with your doctor is important. Your doctor is there to help you understand what is happening when you are unsure. Asking questions is a great way to learn more about your condition, and it may also help you feel more confident about what’s ahead.

Not sure where to start?

Consider these questions for your next appointment:

Topic	Questions	Why it matters
Understanding your test results	What do my lab results say about my kidney health? Do I have blood or protein in my urine? What does that mean?	Understanding your test results may help you track changes in your kidney health and help your doctor decide if more tests or changes to your care are needed.
Diagnostic procedures	Do I need a kidney biopsy? What will it show? Are there other tests to confirm or rule out IgAN?	A biopsy gives a clearer picture of kidney damage and may help guide your care plan. Other tests may provide more details, but a biopsy is the only way to formally diagnose IgAN.
Monitoring & IgAN care	What can I track at home? How? What signs should I watch for between visits? How often should I have follow-up tests?	By watching for signs and symptoms of IgAN at home, you may be able to alert your doctor to changes in your kidney health. Regular checkups can also help spot changes earlier so your care plan can be adjusted, if needed.
Managing IgA nephropathy	What are ways to manage IgAN? Are there treatments or clinical trials I should know about?	Stay updated on new treatments. Knowing your options may help you make informed decisions.

Questions:

What do my lab results say about my kidney health?
Do I have blood or protein in my urine? What does that mean?

Why it matters:

Understanding your test results may help you track changes in your kidney health and help your doctor decide if more tests or changes to your care are needed.

Questions:

Do I need a kidney biopsy? What will it show?
Are there other tests to confirm or rule out IgAN?

Why it matters:

A biopsy gives a clearer picture of kidney damage and may help guide your care plan. Other tests may provide more details, but a biopsy is the only way to formally diagnose IgAN.

Questions:

What can I track at home? How?
What signs should I watch for between visits?
How often should I have follow-up tests?

Why it matters:

By watching for signs and symptoms of IgAN at home, you may be able to alert your doctor to changes in your kidney health. Regular checkups can also help spot changes earlier so your care plan can be adjusted, if needed.

Questions:

What are ways to manage IgAN?
Are there treatments or clinical trials I should know about?

Why it matters:

Stay updated on new treatments. Knowing your options may help you make informed decisions.

Download Discussion Questions

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IgAN tests you should know about

Diagnosing and monitoring IgAN involves different lab tests, each with its own purpose. Tests can help you determine how well your kidneys are functioning and if you need to make any lifestyle changes.

Tests that gauge kidney function and damage

Purpose: Assess how well your kidneys are functioning by measuring creatinine, an energy byproduct usually filtered by the kidneys

What it may tell you: As IgAN progresses due to damaged nephrons, kidney function may decline. This can lead to the buildup of waste and byproducts like creatinine in the blood. A slow decline in eGFR is typical as we age, but a rapid decline in eGFR may signal worsening kidney function. eGFR can fluctuate due to hydration levels, medications, or lab variability, so trends over time are more informative. Stable eGFR over time may suggest your IgAN care plan is effective

Test type: Blood test

Turnaround time: Usually 24–48 hours

Purpose: Measures total protein (including albumin and other proteins) relative to creatinine in urine.

What it may tell you: Provides a broader view of protein loss in urine and is especially useful in nondiabetic kidney conditions (like glomerulonephritis or IgA nephropathy). Rising uPCR levels over time can indicate worsening kidney damage

Test type: Urine sample

Turnaround time: Usually 24 hours

Purpose: Detects irregularities in your urine, including protein, blood, and other markers

What it may tell you: Hematuria and proteinuria may indicate kidney inflammation or damage. However, a urinalysis alone cannot confirm IgA nephropathy, as blood or protein in the urine can be caused by other conditions, too. High hematuria and proteinuria levels over time may suggest kidney disease progression, while stable or decreasing levels may indicate managed disease

Test type: Urine sample

Turnaround time: Immediate to 24 hours

Purpose: Measures the amount of albumin (a type of protein) and creatinine (waste product) in your urine

What it may tell you: If albumin is present in your urine in high amounts, it may signal that your kidneys are not filtering your blood properly. However, temporary increases in proteinuria can occur due to factors like dehydration, exercise, or infections. If your uACR numbers are rising over multiple tests over time, it may suggest your kidney function is worsening

Test type: Urine sample

Turnaround time: Usually 24 hours

Purpose: Evaluate overall kidney health by measuring how well your kidneys can regulate electrolytes and remove waste from blood

What it may tell you: As IgA nephropathy progresses, imbalances in sodium, potassium, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels may indicate worsening kidney function. High BUN or abnormal electrolyte levels may indicate impaired kidney function. However, diet, hydration, and medications can also influence these values. Any changes, up or down, over multiple tests over time will help your doctor understand more about your kidney function

Test type: Blood test

Turnaround time: 24–48 hours

Your kidneys help balance minerals like potassium and sodium. If your kidneys are unable to balance these levels, you may develop high potassium and sodium.

High levels of potassium might mean you need to eat fewer potassium-rich foods, while high sodium levels may mean you need to eat less salt to manage your blood pressure.

High cholesterol is common with IgAN, because damage to your kidneys can affect how your body handles fats. This can increase your risk of heart problems, so you might be advised to manage your cholesterol through diet, exercise, or medication.

Albumin is an important protein in your blood. Low albumin levels may mean you’re losing protein through your urine. This can happen when your kidneys are damaged. If this happens, your doctor or a dietician may recommend dietary adjustments to help maintain proper nutrition.

Stage of
kidney disease

People in earlier stages may require less frequent testing than those with advanced disease, who may need more frequent monitoring.

Current
lab trends

If your proteinuria or eGFR is changing rapidly, your HCP may recommend more frequent testing.

IgAN
care plan

Some therapies for IgAN may require closer monitoring.

Individual
risk factors

Other health conditions, such as high blood pressure, may mean you need more frequent testing.

IgAN Glossary

IgAN Glossary is the next step in this journey

1.
Mayo Clinic Staff. IgA nephropathy. Mayo Clinic. Published August 10, 2022. Accessed April 11, 2025.
2.
Inker LA, Mondal H, Greene T, et al. Early change in urine protein as a surrogate endpoint in studies of IgA nephropathy: an individual-patient meta-analysis. Am J Kidney Dis. 2016;68(3):392–401.
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Diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy? What You Need to Know. IgA Nephropathy Foundation. Published January 2024.
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Johns Hopkins Medicine. Don’t be shy: 4 tips for talking to your doctor. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Published August 24, 2021. Accessed April 11, 2025.
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Lai KN, Tang SC, Schena FP, et al. IgA nephropathy. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2016;2:16001.
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Understanding your Lab Results. IgA Nephropathy Foundation. Accessed March 18. 2025.
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NFK Patient Education Team. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). National Kidney Foundation. Published July 13, 2022. Accessed May 6, 2025.
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Diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy? What You Need to Know. IgA Nephropathy Foundation. Published January 2024.
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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. IgA nephropathy. NIDDK. Updated April 2021. Accessed April 11, 2025.
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Mayo Clinic Staff. Protein in urine (proteinuria). Mayo Clinic. Published May 5, 2022. Accessed April 11, 2025.
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Noronha IL, Santa-Catharina GP, Andrade L, et al. Glomerular filtration in the aging population. Front Med. 2022;9:769329.
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Mayo Clinic Staff. Creatinine test. Mayo Clinic. Published March 1, 2025. Accessed April 11, 2025.
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UW Washinton. DTPA GFR Study. University of Washington Medical Center. Published 2020.
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NFK Patient Education Team. Kidney health 101: Making sense of kidney tests and lab results (eGFR). National Kidney Foundation. Published October 08, 2024. Accessed May 6, 2025.
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Urea Tests. LabTestsOnlineUK. Published May 13, 2022. Accessed April 11, 2025.
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Kidney function Tests. Cleveland Clinic. Published June 6. 2024. Accessed May 7, 2025.
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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Your kidneys & How they work. NIDDK. Updated June 2018. Accessed April 11, 2025.
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NFK Patient Education Team. Six steps to controlling high potassium. National Kidney Foundation. Published February 25, 2016. Accessed May 6, 2025.
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NFK Patient Education Team. Sodium and your CKD diet: How to spice up your cooking. National Kidney Foundation. Accessed May 6, 2025.
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NFK Patient Education Team. IgA nephropathy (IgAN). National Kidney Foundation. Published April 17, 2024. Accessed May 6, 2025.
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Tan J, Song G, Wang S, et al. Platelet-to-Albumin ratio: A novel IgA nephropathy prognosis predictor. Front Immunol. 2022;13:842362.
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Kawai Y, Masutani K, Torisu K, et al. Association between serum albumin level and incidence of end-stage renal disease in patients with Immunoglobulin A nephropathy: A possible role of albumin as an antioxidant agent. PLoS ONE. 2018; 13(5): e0196655.
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Be proactive about your
kidney health