Symptoms

Membranous nephropathy may develop gradually, so you may not suspect that anything is wrong. As you lose protein from your blood, swelling in your legs and ankles and weight gain from excess fluid can occur. Many people have lots of swelling from the very beginning of the disease, but others may not have any severe symptoms until they have advanced kidney disease.

Signs and symptoms of membranous nephropathy include:

• Swelling in the legs and ankles
• Weight gain
• Fatigue
• Poor appetite
• Urine that looks foamy
• High cholesterol
• Increased protein in the urine (proteinuria)
• Decreased protein in the blood, particularly albumin

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your doctor if you have:

• Blood in your urine
• Swelling in your legs and ankles that doesn't go away
• Increased blood pressure
• Sudden pain between your upper belly and middle back
• Sudden shortness of breath, which could be related to a blood clot complication