Lupus nephritis is a kidney condition that causes signs like foamy urine, blood in the urine, and symptoms like swelling in the legs, hands, or face. It’s caused by the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the most common type of lupus. SLE is often simply called lupus.

Lupus develops when a person’s immune system attacks their body and its tissues, which can lead to inflammation of the kidneys or, in severe cases, kidney failure. Kidney damage affects important kidney function, including filtering waste and excess fluid out of the blood and into the urine.

Lupus nephritis symptoms often coincide with other lupus symptoms, such as fatigue, joint pain, and stiffness

5 Signs and Symptoms of Lupus Nephritis

During lupus nephritis, groups of small blood vessels in the kidney — known as glomeruli — become damaged by the immune system. The glomeruli filter waste out of the blood, and that waste ends up in the urine. Many symptoms of lupus nephritis are associated with kidney and glomeruli damage. Lupus nephritis symptoms generally coincide with other lupus symptoms, such as fatigue, joint pain, and stiffness.

Following are five common signs or symptoms of lupus nephritis.

1. Foamy Urine

Excess protein in the urine can cause it to appear foamy in people with lupus nephritis. This condition is known as proteinuria. The damage that occurs to the glomeruli during lupus nephritis can allow protein from the blood to leak into the urine.

2. Blood in the Urine

When the urine is light brown or pink, it may contain blood. This condition is referred to as hematuria. Blood can leak into the urine when the glomeruli are damaged.

3. Swelling in the Legs, Hands, and Face

Besides removing waste from the blood, kidneys also remove excess fluid from the body. When the kidneys are damaged, fluid can accumulate in the legs, ankles, hands, and face. Swelling can also appear around the eyes. This accumulation of excess fluid is commonly referred to as edema.

4. Weight Gain

People with lupus nephritis may gain weight because their bodies hold on to extra fluid. This can happen when the kidneys don’t work as well as they should, causing fluid to build up in the body. Weight gain is associated with lupus in general and can be a side effect of medications, particularly corticosteroids (steroids).

Lupus symptoms such as joint pain and fatigue can make it harder to eat well and stay physically active, which may lead to a less active lifestyle. Doctors warn that physical inactivity can lead to other types of disability, as well as premature death.

5. Frequent Urination

Frequent urination, especially at night, is a common symptom of lupus nephritis. It can be a sign that the kidneys aren’t working as well as they should. When the kidneys don’t function properly, fluid can build up, causing you to pass more urine. People with lupus nephritis also have a greater risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs). UTIs often cause people to pee more frequently. Pus in the urine, also called pyuria, can be a sign of a UTI.

Up to half of people living with lupus develop lupus nephritis. Your doctor should monitor you for signs of the condition.

Tests for Signs of Lupus Nephritis

Up to 50 percent of people living with lupus develop lupus nephritis. Your doctor should monitor you for signs of the condition. They’ll run tests on the urine and blood, and they may even want a biopsy of the kidney tissue. The results of these tests may indicate the presence of lupus nephritis.

High Levels of Creatinine in the Blood

If a doctor detects high levels of creatinine in the blood of someone living with lupus, it could indicate lupus nephritis. Creatinine is a natural waste product created by the breakdown of muscles in the body. Properly functioning kidneys should filter this waste out of the blood and into the urine.

High Blood Pressure

The kidneys play a role in controlling blood pressure. Kidney damage resulting from lupus nephritis can affect the organ’s ability to regulate blood pressure, leading to hypertension (high blood pressure).

Damage Detected by Kidney Biopsy

If a doctor suspects you have lupus nephritis, they may want to perform a kidney biopsy. This procedure involves taking a very small piece of tissue from the kidney and examining it under a microscope. A kidney biopsy is performed under light sedation or general anesthesia, often in a hospital or outpatient center.

Measuring Lupus Nephritis Progression

There are six stages or classes of lupus nephritis. As the disease worsens, the stages progress. A kidney doctor (nephrologist) can identify lupus nephritis stages based on a kidney biopsy and a person’s kidney function, signs, and symptoms.

Some people living with lupus nephritis will progress to chronic kidney disease (CKD). If more damage occurs and kidney function gets worse, some people may progress from CKD to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), also called kidney failure. Up to 30 percent of people with lupus nephritis will develop ESRD. People with ESRD generally require dialysis or a kidney transplant.

The following symptoms or signs of CKD and ESRD may indicate a person’s kidney health is getting worse:

• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Difficulty falling and staying asleep
• Itchy skin
• Headaches
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea
• Erectile dysfunction

Fortunately, treatments for lupus and lupus nephritis can slow the disease’s progression and limit damage to the kidneys.

A doctor may also be able to tell that lupus nephritis is getting worse by running blood and urine tests and performing a kidney biopsy.

Fortunately, treatments for lupus and lupus nephritis can slow the disease’s progression and limit damage to the kidneys. Taking certain medications, along with living a healthy lifestyle that supports the kidneys, can benefit many people living with lupus nephritis.

When To Call Your Doctor

Talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing any of the signs and symptoms of lupus nephritis, CKD, or ESRD. You should also talk to your doctor if you notice your symptoms of lupus nephritis getting worse, which could indicate the disease is progressing. You may require changes to your treatment plan or a different kind of therapy, such as dialysis.

People with lupus nephritis are at higher risk for heart and blood vessel problems. Heart failure is a major complication of kidney disease, as are other conditions associated with the heart. If you suspect you’re experiencing the symptoms of a heart attack — including chest pain and shortness of breath — get emergency help right away.

Find Your Team

MyLupusTeam is the social network for people with lupus and their loved ones. On MyLupusTeam, more than 233,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with lupus. On MyLupusTeam, you can chat with more than 15,000 members who have lupus nephritis.

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