Symptoms:

Swelling (edema) is the most common symptom. It may occur:

• In the face and around the eyes (facial swelling)
• In the arms and legs, especially in the feet and ankles
• In the belly area (swollen abdomen)

Other symptoms include:

• Foamy appearance of the urine
• Weight gain (unintentional) from fluid retention
• Poor appetite
• High blood pressure

Signs and tests:

The doctor will perform a physical exam. Laboratory tests will be done to see how well the kidneys are working. They include:

• Creatine - blood test
• Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
• Creatinine clearance
• Albumin blood test - may be low
• Urinalysis - reveals large amounts of urine protein

Fats are often also present in the urine. Blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels may increase.

Kidney biopsy may be needed .

Tests to rule out various causes may include the following:

• Glucose tolerance test
• Antinuclear antibody
• Rheumatoid factor
• Cryoglobulins
• Complement levels
• Hepatitis B and C antibodies
• VDRL serology
• Serum protein electrophoresis

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:

• Urinary casts
• Protein electrophoresis - urine
• Serum iron