Membranous NephropathySymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Membranous Nephropathy
Membranous nephropathy is a kidney disorder that leads to changes and inflammation of the structures inside the kidney that help filter wastes and fluids. The inflammation may lead to problems with kidney function.
Membranous glomerulonephritis; Membranous GN; Extramembranous glomerulonephritis; Glomerulonephritis - membranous; MGN
Membranous nephropathy is caused by the thickening of a part of the glomerular basement membrane. The glomerular basement membrane is a part of the kidneys that helps filter waste and extra fluid from the blood. The exact reason for this thickening is not known.
The thickened glomerular membrane does not work normally. As a result, large amounts of protein are lost in the urine.
This condition is one of the most common causes of nephrotic syndrome. Nephrotic syndrome is a group of symptoms and abnormal test results that include protein in the urine, low blood protein level, high cholesterol levels, high triglyceride levels, increased blood clot risk, and swelling. Membranous nephropathy may be a primary kidney disease, or it may be associated with other conditions.
The following increase your risk for this membranous nephropathy:
- Cancers, especially lung and colon cancer
- Exposure to toxins, including gold and mercury
- Infections, including hepatitis B, malaria, syphilis, and endocarditis
- Medicines, including penicillamine, trimethadione, and skin-lightening creams
- Systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Graves disease, and other autoimmune disorders
The disorder occurs at any age, but is more common after age 40.
Symptoms often begin slowly over time, and may include:
- Edema (swelling) in any area of the body
- Fatigue
- Foamy appearance of urine (due to large amounts of protein)
- Poor appetite
- Urination, excessive at night
- Weight gain
The goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.
Controlling blood pressure is the most important way to delay kidney damage. The goal is to keep blood pressure at or below 130/80 mm Hg. Your health care provider can tell you what your blood pressure target is.
High blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels should be treated to reduce the risk for atherosclerosis. However, a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet is often not as helpful for people with membranous nephropathy.
Medicines that may be used to treat membranous nephropathy include:
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) to lower blood pressure
- Corticosteroids and other medicines that suppress the immune system
- Medicines (most often statins) to reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels
- Water pills (diuretics) to reduce swelling
- Blood thinners to reduce the risk for blood clots in the lungs and legs
Low-protein diets may be helpful. A moderate-protein diet (1 gram [gm] of protein per kilogram [kg] of body weight per day) may be suggested.
Vitamin D may need to be replaced if nephrotic syndrome is long-term (chronic) and does not respond to therapy.
This disease increases the risk for blood clots in the lungs and legs. Blood thinners may be prescribed to prevent these complications.
CUIMC/Herbert Irving Pavilion
Andrew S. Bomback, MD, MPH, is a nephrologist who specializes in glomerular diseases and resistant hypertension. Dr. Bomback received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University and his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He completed residency in Internal Medicine and fellowships in Nephrology and Clinical Epidemiology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was the Doc J. Thurston III Fellow in Nephrology and Hypertension. In 2009, he returned to Columbia University as an associate at the Center for Glomerular Diseases and is currently Assistant Professor of Medicine at Columbia University Medical Center. Dr. Bomback is a member of the ColumbiaDoctors Hypertension Center, a multi-disciplinary center of excellence that provides high quality care and state-of-the-art diagnostic testing for patients with hypertension,Dr. Bomback has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on the subjects of chronic kidney disease, glomerular diseases, and hypertension. He is the co-author of the textbook, Chronic Kidney Disease and Hypertension Essentials, and an editor of the National Kidney Foundation's Primer on Kidney Diseases. He is the recipient of the 2013 Daniel V. Kimberg Junior Faculty Award for oustanding teaching of medical students and housestaff.Dr. Bomback's research interests focus on evaluating novel therapies for glomerular diseases. He currently serves as principal or co-investigator on clinical trials of new treatments for IgA nephropathy, membranous nephropathy, lupus glomerulonephritis, hereditary nephritis, C3 glomerulopathy, and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Dr. Bomback is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Membranous Nephropathy. He is also highly rated in 22 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis, Glomerulonephritis, Membranous Nephropathy, Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis, and Kidney Transplant. Dr. Bomback is board certified in Internal Medicine and Nephrology. Dr. Bomback is currently accepting new patients.
Mayo Clinic-Rochester
Fernando Fervenza is a Nephrologist practicing medicine in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Fervenza is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Membranous Nephropathy. He is also highly rated in 26 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Glomerulonephritis, Membranous Nephropathy, Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis, Kidney Transplant, and Bone Marrow Aspiration.
Elion Hoxha practices practicing medicine in Wuerzburg, Germany. Mr. Hoxha is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Membranous Nephropathy. He is also highly rated in 5 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Membranous Nephropathy, Glomerulonephritis, Nephrotic Syndrome, Minimal Change Disease, and Nephrectomy.
The outlook varies, depending on the amount of protein loss. There may be symptom-free periods and occasional flare-ups. Sometimes, the condition goes away, with or without therapy.
Most people with this disease will have kidney damage and some people will develop end-stage renal disease.
Complications that may result from this disease include:
- Chronic renal failure
- Deep venous thrombosis
- End-stage renal disease
- Nephrotic syndrome
- Pulmonary embolism
- Renal vein thrombosis
Contact your provider if:
- You have symptoms of membranous nephropathy
- Your symptoms get worse or don't go away
- You develop new symptoms
- You have decreased urine output
Quickly treating disorders and avoiding substances that can cause membranous nephropathy may reduce your risk.
Summary: This study is open to adults with certain kidney conditions, including secondary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (sFSGS), treatment-resistant primary minimal change disease (TR-pMCD), Alport Syndrome (AS), and treatment-resistant primary membranous nephropathy (TR-pMN). Adolescents with treatment-resistant primary MCD can also participate in this study. The purpose of this study is to find out ...
Summary: In this study, researchers will learn more about the use of felzartamab in participants with primary membranous nephropathy, also known as PMN. In people with PMN, autoantibodies build up in the glomeruli of the kidney. Antibodies are proteins that help the body fight off infection. An autoantibody is a type of antibody that mistakenly targets and attacks the body's own tissues. Glomeruli are the ...
Published Date: September 02, 2025
Published By: Walead Latif, MD, Nephrologist and Clinical Associate Professor, Rutgers Medical School, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Radhakrishnan J, Stokes MB. Glomerular disorders and nephrotic syndromes. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 107.
Saha MK, Pendergraft WF, Jennette JC, Falk RJ. Primary glomerular disease. In: Yu ASL, Chertow GM, Luyckx VA, Marsden PA, Skorecki K, Taal MW, eds. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 31.
Salant DJ, Beck LH, Reich HN. Membranous nephropathy. In: Johnson RJ, Floege J, Tonelli M, eds. Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 21.