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Welcome to your IgAN family.

Whether you or someone you love has been diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy, you have come to the right place. You are not alone.
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By patients, for patients

The IgA Nephropathy Foundation’s mission is to be a patient-centric organization focused on finding a cure for IgA Nephropathy. Using the power of the patient community, we are focused on funding research, using patient advocacy to empower our patients, and building a network of support.

Latest News & Resources About IgAN

Ambassador Program

The IgA Nephropathy Foundation Ambassador Program will bring together and train a select group of inspired patients and caregivers.

Ambassador Program

Guides & Fact Sheets

Use this guide to learn more about IgA Nephropathy, including common tests used to check your kidney health, what to look for and expect at different stages, and various treatment options.

Guides & Fact Sheets

International IgAN Network

Learn more about the International IgA Nephropathy Network. For Clinicians and Patients with IgA Nephropathy.

More About IIgANN

IgAN Care

IgANCare is a nephrology provider finder for patients with IgAN. If your provider is not on this list, you can encourage your provider to join. You can also nominate a provider for IgANCare!

IGAN Care

“Knowing you’re not alone is very powerful. So is knowing it’s not fully out of my control and I can take steps every day to help.”

CHRIS

IgA Nephropathy Facts

What is IgA Nephropathy?

IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) is a rare, autoimmune disease that attacks the kidneys. It affects how blood is filtered in the small blood vessels of the kidneys. IgAN occurs when an abnormal protein damages the filtering unit (glomerulus) inside the kidneys. It is estimated that 20-40% of the people who have IgAN will develop end-stage kidney disease, which means they will need dialysis or kidney transplantation to survive.

How is IgA Nephropathy Diagnosed?

The first sign of IgAN is often blood in the urine. Should this occur, you should immediately consult your doctor.

How is IgA Nephropathy Treated?

There is no current cure for IgAN and that is why the IgA Nephropathy Foundation was founded.

Explore More FAQ’s

Faces of IgA Nephropathy

Our mission is to be a patient-centric organization focused on finding a cure for IgA Nephropathy. Using the power of the patient community we are focused on funding research, using patient advocacy to empower our patients, and building a network of support.As a patient run organization, we will work together with the hope of finding better treatment options and ultimate cure. By patients, for patients.

What is IgA Nephropathy and How Does It Affect Your Kidneys?

IgAN occurs when abnormal antibody immunoglobulin A’s (IgA) are produced. The exact reason why Abnormal IgA’s are produced is unclear, but genetic factors likely play an important role. The body produces other antibodies (IgG) to attack the IgA antibodies that it no longer recognizes as ‘self’.

The IgG antibodies form a complex with the abnormal IgA antibodies and this complex often gets trapped at sites of filtration, specifically the kidneys. As a result, the body’s immune system attacks the abnormal IgA antibodies in the kidney, and affects the kidney’s ability to filter the wastes from your blood and produce healthy urine.

Take the Risk Quiz Find a Nearby Kidney Screening

Latest From The IgAN Blog

Picture of someone putting gluten free label on bread

Gluten-Free Diet and IgA Nephropathy

IgA Nephropathy affects people differently. You may be looking for ways to reduce your inflammation or control food sensitivities through food. Many people with IgAN report sensitivities to gluten and may be diagnosed with celiac disease. This article describes the gluten/IgA connection and what a gluten-free diet includes. 
Lots of Plant-Based foods like fruits and vegetables

Ways to Make Your Diet More Plant-Forward

Plant-Based Diets have recently gained a lot more attention. Whether choosing more plants for sustainability, avoiding harming animals or your health eating more plants is becoming more commonplace. There are studies that show plant-forward diets reduce the risk of progression of kidney disease. (1) There are no studies as of …
Kidney-Friendly Tofu Vegetable SKewers

10 IgAN-Friendly Recipes

When you have IgA Nephropathy, figuring out what you can eat can be a puzzle. These ten recipes are healthy, delicious, and adaptable to most eating patterns. Remember, everyone’s needs are different, but we’ve chosen options that can be tailored to your specific dietary requirements. 
Woman smiling eating a salad in her kitchen

5 Delicious Ways to Make Your Diet Lower in Potassium

Lower potassium diets are common for people with kidney disease, including people with IgA Nephropathy. That does not mean your foods need to be flavorless.
Photo of Anti-Inflammatory Fruits & Vegetables

Managing IgA Nephropathy with an Anti-inflammatory Diet

When you have IgA Nephropathy, controlling blood pressure is an important way to protect your kidneys. Your doctor may prescribe you medication to help control your blood pressure; however, you can also do activities at home to keep your blood pressure in a healthy range. This article reviews ways you can help to control your blood pressure naturally with IgAN. 
Controlling Blood Pressure With Kidney-Disease

Controlling BP Naturally with IgAN

When you have IgN, controlling blood pressure is vital. This article reviews ways you can help to control your blood pressure with IgAN.
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