Nephrotic Syndrome

What is Nephrotic Syndrome?

Nephrotic syndrome causes scarring or damage to the filtering part of the kidneys (glomeruli), resulting in too much protein lost from the blood into the urine.

People with nephrotic syndrome often have:

Very high levels of protein in the urine (proteinuria)
Low levels of protein in the blood (hypoalbuminemia)
Swelling (edema), especially around the eyes, feet, and hands
High cholesterol

Schedule an appointment with a UR Medicine provider.

Call (585) 275-4711

UR Medicine's Treatments for Nephrotic Syndrome

The first step is for your nephrologist to determine the exact cause of the nephrotic syndrome. There are many causes including autoimmune disease, certain infections, medication/toxin exposures.

When a health care provider is concerned that you may have nephrotic syndrome, you will be referred to a nephrologist for further evaluation. Your nephrologist will check blood work and urine tests and if the diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome is confirmed, you may need to have a kidney biopsy. Prior to a biopsy, you may be advised to avoid high sodium foods and you might be started on supportive medication such as blood pressure medications, diuretics, or agents to reduce the amount of protein in the urine. Very rarely, if the extra fluid in your body is so severe, dialysis may be necessary.

What Sets Us Apart?

Our Nephrology Division, which treats kidney patients, has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report for years as one of the top adult nephrology care centers in the country.

Our nephrologists serve as medical directors for 12 dialysis units, providing care to over 600 dialysis patients, and provide ongoing care to 650 kidney transplant recipients.

Our nephrologists work closely with UR Medicine’s Advanced Heart Failure Program, providing nephrologic care to patients with Ventricular Assist Devices and Total Artificial Heart Implantation.

Our nephrologists work closely with UR Medicine’s Advanced Heart Failure Program, providing Nephrological care to patients with Ventricular Assist Devices and Total Artificial Heart Implantation.

We have a diverse group of physicians interested in the entire spectrum of nephrology (kidney) services.

Because we’re an academic medical center, we’re active in research studies involving a number of principal investigators with funding from the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, private foundations, and pharmaceutical companies.