<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> From Waynel (female) Those quoted have compelling stories best told in their own words. My thanks to them for their generous responses and website addresses. Q/ Are there list members who have experience with kidney diseases such as glomerulonephritis and IgA nephropathy or who have undergone kidney biopsy? Response #1: I have had DH for 14 years, my sister is also positive, as is a niece - the daughter of another sibling. One of my identical twin daughters has a form of glomerulonephritis called MPGN type II (membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis). She developed this disease when she was 6 yrs. old, and went into renal failure when she was 7 yrs.old. She has been on dialysis for 5 1/2 years. If you want more information about this disease you can visit our website... We have formed KIDNEEDS, a research foundation whose sole purpose is to award grant money to study this rare disease. Our other twin daughter is not affected. Our website is http://www.medicine.uiowa.edu/kidneeds. I have run into another person with MPGN, unknown type, who has CD. SHe has had 3 transplants. Again, this disease is rare- but there is no known cause or cure. A researcher is currently doing some genetic studies on my twins for clues - neither has turned up positive for CD. ...I would be glad to answer your questions. Response #2: I was diagnosed with glomerulonephritis at the age of 22. I went on dialysis at 30 and am now 45. My celiac disease was diagnosed 4 years ago. Please direct any questions to me at [log in to unmask] I will be more than happy to answer them. Jude Friedman Response #3: I was diagnosed with glomerulonephritis 10 years before I was diagnosed with CD. At the time I was also being treated for high blood pressure. To this day the Glomer. has not been a problem. Kidney tests have always been good although I still have infrequent periods with small amounts of blood in the urine. Clears up without any action and I'm fine for another few years. ...since I was diagnosed with CD about 4 years ago there have been no blood periods. Response #4: Any newly diagnosed celiac should have their kidneys monitored. This is routinely done by watching the BUN/Creatine ratio. A ratio over 25 is indicative of a problem. Mine was over 20 for about six months...It has returned to normal. Kidney damage is contingent on how long was "inflammed" before they were diagnosed. When the body is inflammed like it is with celiac disease, there is a large supply of IgG and IgA flowing through the body, possibly doing damage to other organs. Most doctors don't consider this, although any med student should know it. After an individual begins the gluten free diet the inflammation begins to subside. I was concerned for about six to eight months after being diagnosed ...However, after more than a year my body is returning to "normal." If you feel your white blood count is too high or BUN/creatine level is too high contact your doctor, remind them that celiac disease causes inflammation of the intestines and inflammation causes other problems...be informed and prudent." For information on IgA nephropathy see http://www.kidneydoctor.com/iga.htm Have you seen http://www.aafp.org/afp/980301ap/pruessn.html ? I am not a doctor and am not making any recommendations. Available information indicates that one should be concerned if there is: blood in urine (sometimes microscopic) or mild proteinuria or edema, hypertension, and renal insufficiency. Edema (swelling) is associated with any inflammation. For good information on inflammation in general see http://www.savba.sk/logos/books/scientific/node1.html (End of Response #4) Quote from Nat'l Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website: http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/kidney/kidney.htm "Glomerulonephritis is a kidney disease. The kidneys' filters become inflamed and scarred and slowly lose their ability to remove wastes and excess water from the blood to make urine. Kidney disease of diabetes, IgA nephropathy, and lupus nephritis are some types of glomerulonephritis. Symptoms and signs of this disease are fatigue; high blood pressure; swelling, especially noticeable in the face, hands, feet, and ankles; and blood and protein in the urine. Unfortunately, the kidneys can be severely damaged before symptoms and signs appear."