Symptoms:

• Blood in the urine
• Dark urine (smoke, cola, or tea colored)
• Cloudy urine
• Decrease in urine volume
• Swelling of any part of the body
• Changes in mental status such as decreased alertness or decreased concentration

Signs and tests:

The results of a physical examination vary depending on the symptoms. Swelling may be present along with signs of fluid overload, such as abnormal sounds when listening to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope.

Blood pressure is often high because of increased water and sodium (salt) retention and and increased production of renin, a hormone that controls blood pressure.

Membranoproliferative GN I may present in several forms. It may be seen as acute nephritic syndrome, nephrotic syndrome, or an abnormal urinalysis without symptoms.

These tests help confirm the diagnosis:

• Urinalysis
• Urine protein
• BUN and creatinine
• Serum complement levels
• Serum complement C3 nephritic factor

A kidney biopsy confirms the diagnosis of membranoproliferative GN I.