Can IgA Nephropathy be Cured?

Managing IgA Nephropathy - Can It Be Cured?

IgA nephropathy, a condition affecting the kidneys, cannot be cured. It is a chronic disease that progresses towards kidney failure. It is a chronic kidney disease (CKD) in which immunoglobulin A antibodies build up in your kidneys. However, several treatment options are available.

Diagnosing IgA Nephropathy

One of the most common symptoms of IgA nephropathy is blood in your urine. Doctors perform physical examinations and laboratory tests to confirm this disease. They are as follows:

• Kidney Biopsy: A kidney biopsy is one of the most important diagnostic tests for diagnosis. It is a small procedure where doctors extract a small tissue sample. They insert a needle and an ultrasound to gather the kidney tissue.

After that, it is seen under a microscope to find any abnormalities. This test can identify damages that other tests cannot detect.

• Iothalamate Clearance Test: This test measures eGFR (glomerular filtration rate) in your kidneys. It determines how well your kidneys are functioning. Doctors inject iothalamate into your blood and take samples at timed intervals. Then, experts calculate the rate at which your body clears iothalamate to measure eGFR rates accurately.
• Urinalysis Tests: In this, a diagnostic laboratory checks your urine sample for blood or protein levels. These can indicate major kidney issues. The more protein your urine contains, the worse your kidneys are functioning. It indicates how well glomeruli (tiny filters) in your kidneys are functioning.

Treatment Options for IgA Nephropathy

Since there is no cure for IgA nephropathy, treatments can slow its progression into kidney failure. Your nephrologist will decide what treatment you will receive based on which stage you are in.

Medications for IgA Nephropathy

Your doctor may prescribe the following medicines for treating IgA nephropathy:

• Corticosteroids: IgA nephropathy is caused by an overactive immune system producing huge amounts of immunoglobulin. These medicines help your immune system calm down, so they produce less IgA. Lower levels help your kidneys relax and recover. Doctors usually prescribe them for 6-9 months.
• ACE Inhibitors or ARBs: These are first-line medications which lower protein content in your urine. Therefore, it helps your kidneys filter out protein and stop leaking. Additionally, it aids in lowering your blood pressure since it can affect your kidneys' functions.
• Endothelin Receptor [Type A] Antagonists (ERAs): They are a new class of drugs which relax your kidneys’ blood vessels. By relaxing the blood vessels, they make the kidneys perform better and filter out proteins from urine. It slows down chronic kidney disease progression. ERAs are under study for IgA nephropathy but are not yet part of routine treatment.
• SGLT2 Inhibitors: These inhibitors stop SGLT2 proteins, which reabsorb sugar into the bloodstream. Therefore, it not only helps your kidneys but also keeps your blood glucose levels in check. It also lowers the urine albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR) levels.
   

Lifestyle Changes for IgA Nephropathy

Along with the above-mentioned medicines, doctors also recommend the following lifestyle changes to manage IgA nephropathy:

• Stop Smoking: Nicotine and tobacco products can further cause damage to the functioning of the kidneys. It also increases the risk of kidney failure, along with other health concerns.
• Exercise Regularly: Staying active helps to slow down damage to your kidneys. Start slowly with brisk walking and work your way ahead.
• Limit Salt Intake: Sodium can worsen your kidneys over time. Therefore, adopt a low-salt and low-sodium diet to keep your kidneys healthy.
   

Dialysis and kidney transplants are the last resort in IgA nephropathy. However, they are life-saving options that can keep you alive if the IgAN progresses.