
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
IgA nephropathy laboratory findings
Introduction
Overview
Overview
There are no specific and sensitive diagnostic laboratory findings associated with IgA nephropathy. However all patients with biopsy-proven IgA nephropathy are assessed for secondary causes to rule out common causes of secondary IgA nephropathy. The viral serologies for HIV, HBV, HCV, Liver function tests, and Electrophoresis of serum immunoglobulins are performed. Blood pressure measurement, serum creatinine to estimate glomerular filtration rate , Proteinuria, and pathological features are monitored to assess the risk of progression of the disease.
Laboratory Findings
Laboratory Findings
- There are no specific and sensitive diagnostic laboratory findings associated with IgA nephropathy.[1][2]
- Some patients with IgA nephropathy may have elevated concentration of serum total IgA.
- The urinary Immunoglobulins are not distinctive in IgA nephropathy.
Initial Evaluation
- Assess all patients with biopsy-proven IgA nephropathy for secondary causes to rule out common causes of secondary IgA nephropathy
- Viral serologies:
- Liver function tests
- Electrophoresis of serum immunoglobulins
- Assess the risk of progression and prognosis by the following parameters at diagnosis and at follow-up:
- Blood pressure measurement
- Serum creatinine to estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
- Proteinuria
- Pathological features
- A kidney biopsy is to be considered only if signs of acute kidney injury and macroscopic hematuria persist for at least 5 days since the onset of kidney injury.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Dildar Hussain, MBBS [2]
