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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you have signs and symptoms of IgA nephropathy, you're likely to start by seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner. However, you may then be referred to a doctor who specializes in treating kidney disorders (nephrologist).
Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
- Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as fast for a blood test.
- Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
- Make a list of all medications, including vitamins, herbs and over-the-counter drugs, that you're taking or have recently taken. Even better, take the original bottles and a written list of the dosages and directions.
- Ask a family member or friend to come with you. Sometimes it can be difficult to remember all of the information provided to you during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may recall something that you missed or forgot.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor.
Because it's hard to know what to expect from a diagnosis of IgA nephropathy, it can be helpful to take a list of questions to your appointment. For instance, you might want to know:
- What tests do I need to determine if I have IgA nephropathy?
- What is a kidney biopsy and how is it done?
- Is this condition temporary or long lasting?
- What is my long-term prognosis?
- What are the chances that I will develop kidney failure? Is there any way to know?
- What is the best course of action? How long will I have to take medications?
- What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting?
- Can this disease be managed with diet and lifestyle changes alone?
- Since IgA nephropathy often develops over many years, wouldn't it be a good idea just to keep an eye on it?
- I have other health conditions. How can I best manage these conditions together?
- I've had urinary tract infections in the past. Could these previous infections be a factor?
- Do you have any literature on this condition? Is there a website you can recommend where I can learn more?
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:
- When did you begin experiencing symptoms?
- Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
- How severe are your symptoms?
- Does anything seem to improve your symptoms?
- What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
- IgA nephropathy. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/iganephropathy/. Accessed Sept. 21, 2010.
- Nephrotic syndrome. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec17/ch235/ch235b.html. Accessed Sept. 22, 2010.
- Barrat J, et al. Clinical presentation and diagnosis of IgA nephropathy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 15, 2010.
- Barrat J, et al. Pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 15, 2010.
- Donadio JV, et al. IgA nephropathy. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2002;347:738.
- Cattran DC, et al. Treatment and prognosis of IgA nephropathy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 15, 2010.
- Cheng J, et al. Efficacy and safety of glucocorticoids therapy for IgA nephropathy: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. American Journal of Nephrology. 2009;30:315.
- IgA nephropathy. National Kidney Foundation. http://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/iganeph.cfm. Accessed Sept. 22, 2010.
- Anderson CF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 23, 2010.
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