IgA Nephropathy Chronic Remission Phase (Deficiency Pattern)

IgA nephropathy (immunoglobulin A nephropathy, IgAN) is a group of glomerulonephritides characterized by IgA deposition in the mesangial area of the glomeruli. It was first described in 1968 by French pathologists Berger and Hinglais and is therefore also known as Berger’s disease. There is no exact TCM disease name for IgA nephropathy. Based on its clinical symptoms and disease duration, it generally falls within the TCM categories of “hematuria,” “kidney wind,” “lumbar pain,” “edema,” and “consumptive disease.”

TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Reference

| Common Symptoms

Clinical description:

Pale or sallow complexion, fatigue and reluctance to speak, poor appetite, abdominal bloating, edema of the face or limbs, susceptibility to colds, bland taste in the mouth without thirst, spontaneous sweating, loose stools, a pale-red tongue that is enlarged with teeth marks on the edges, a thin white coating, and a fine, weak pulse.

In plain language:

  • The face looks pale or yellowish and lacks a healthy glow.
  • You feel tired and lack energy, and may not feel like talking; your voice may sound weak.
  • Your appetite is poor, and you eat little or have little interest in food.
  • Your abdomen feels full, bloated, or uncomfortable, particularly after activity or eating.
  • The face or limbs may look swollen or feel tight and puffy.
  • You may be prone to catching colds, especially after exposure to wind or cold.
  • Your mouth may taste bland, and you may not feel thirsty or inclined to drink water.
  • You may sweat even when you are not active.
  • Your stools may be loose, soft, and poorly formed.
  • Your tongue may look pale red rather than a deep red.
  • The tongue may appear enlarged, with teeth marks along its edges.
  • The tongue coating may be thin and white.
  • Your pulse may feel fine and weak, with little force under pressure.

| Treatment Approach

Clinical description:

Tonify the lung and strengthen the exterior; boost qi and fortify the spleen.

In plain language:

  • The approach aims to support lung qi and strengthen the body’s exterior defenses, with the intention of easing spontaneous sweating, susceptibility to wind and cold, or symptoms such as shortness of breath and cough.
  • The approach aims to replenish qi and support spleen function, with the intention of easing fatigue, poor appetite, or loose stools.

| Related Formulas

The following products are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the packaging and product insert, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.

Yu Ping Feng San
Shen Ling Bai Zhu San

| Common Symptoms

Clinical description:

Shortness of breath and fatigue, night sweats, spontaneous sweating, soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, heat in the palms and soles, dry mouth, fatigue, a pale or pale-red tongue that is enlarged with teeth marks on the edges, scant and somewhat dry coating, and a deep, fine pulse or a fine, rapid, weak pulse.

In plain language:

  • You may become short of breath and feel weak, especially after some activity.
  • You may sweat during sleep and wake with damp, clammy clothing or bedding, while sweating less during the day.
  • You may sweat spontaneously even when inactive, and feel more uncomfortable in a draft or when chilled.
  • Your lower back and knees may feel sore and weak, making walking or sitting for a long time difficult.
  • The palms of your hands and soles of your feet may feel hot to the touch.
  • Your mouth may feel dry, making speaking or swallowing uncomfortable.
  • You may feel tired and low in energy.
  • Your tongue may look pale or pale red, with less vivid color than usual.
  • Your tongue may look enlarged, with tooth marks along its edges.
  • The tongue coating may be scant and somewhat dry, with little visible coating.
  • Your pulse may be difficult to feel until pressed deeply and may feel fine; alternatively, it may be fine, rapid, and weak.

| Treatment Approach

Clinical description:

Boost qi and nourish yin.

In plain language:

  • The approach aims to replenish qi and nourish yin, with the intention of easing fatigue, shortness of breath, dry mouth and throat, or symptoms such as tidal fever and night sweats.
  • The approach aims to harmonize qi and yin to support a sense of balance and vitality, with the intention of easing weakness, fatigue, irritability, or insomnia.

| Related Formulas

The following products are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the packaging and product insert, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.

Liu Wei Di Huang Wan

| Common Symptoms

Clinical description:

Dry eyes or blurred vision, tinnitus, lower back pain, dizziness, tidal fever and night sweats, heat in the palms, soles, and chest with irritability, dry mouth, bitter taste, insomnia and vivid dreams, nocturnal emission or menstrual irregularities, a red tongue with a thin, yellow, dry coating or scant, dry coating, and a fine, rapid pulse or a fine, wiry, rapid pulse.

In plain language:

  • Your eyes may feel dry or gritty, or your vision may be blurred, making it harder to see details.
  • You may hear ringing or buzzing in your ears, even when it is quiet.
  • Your lower back may ache or feel uncomfortable, especially during activity or after sitting for a long time.
  • You may feel dizzy or lightheaded, particularly when standing or walking.
  • You may experience waves of warmth and sweat at night, sometimes waking feeling uncomfortable from sweating.
  • Your palms, soles, and chest may feel hot, accompanied by a sense of inner restlessness.
  • Your mouth may feel dry, making speaking or swallowing uncomfortable.
  • You may have a bitter taste in your mouth, especially in the morning or when your stomach is empty.
  • You may sleep poorly, have difficulty falling or staying asleep, and experience vivid dreams; you may still feel tired after waking.
  • You may experience nocturnal emissions, or menstrual cycles may become irregular.
  • Your tongue may appear distinctly red.
  • The tongue coating may be thin, yellow, and dry, or scant and dry.
  • Your pulse may feel fine and rapid, or fine and tense, with a faster-than-usual beat.

| Treatment Approach

Clinical description:

Nourish and tonify the liver and kidneys.

In plain language:

  • The approach aims to nourish liver blood and support kidney qi, with the intention of easing dizziness, soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, or tinnitus and forgetfulness.
  • The approach aims to support liver and kidney function and vitality, with the intention of easing blurred vision, fatigue, or symptoms such as tidal fever and night sweats.

| Related Formulas

The following products are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the packaging and product insert, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.

Qi Ju Di Huang Wan

| Common Symptoms

Clinical description:

Pale, lustreless or dark complexion, fatigue and weakness, aversion to cold and cold limbs, edema of the limbs, increased urination at night, bland taste in the mouth without thirst or preference for warm drinks, poor appetite, abdominal bloating, clear and copious urine or reduced urine output, loose stools, a pale, enlarged tongue with teeth marks along the edges, a thin white coating, and a deep, weak or deep, fine pulse.

In plain language:

  • Your face may look very pale and shiny or dark and dull, with a washed-out or lackluster complexion.
  • You may tire easily and lack energy for activities, with limited improvement after resting.
  • You may feel very cold, with cold hands and feet that are slow to warm up; exposure to cold may make you more uncomfortable.
  • Your limbs or whole body may become swollen, with swelling that may be slow to subside after pressure.
  • You may need to get up to urinate more often at night, disrupting sleep and rest.
  • Your mouth may taste bland and you may not feel thirsty, or you may prefer warm drinks.
  • Your appetite may be poor, and you may eat little or have little interest in food.
  • Your abdomen may feel full and bloated, especially after activity or eating.
  • Your urine may be pale and plentiful, with urination continuing for a long time, or you may pass less urine than usual.
  • Your stools may be loose, soft, and poorly formed.
  • Your tongue may look pale, as if lacking color.
  • Your tongue may look enlarged, with tooth marks along the edges that give it a wavy outline.
  • The tongue coating may be thin and white.
  • Your pulse may be difficult to feel until pressed deeply and may feel weak, or fine and weak.

| Treatment Approach

Clinical description:

Warm and tonify the spleen and kidneys.

In plain language:

  • The approach aims to warm and support the spleen and stomach and their digestive functions, with the intention of easing sensitivity to cold, cold limbs, poor appetite, or loose stools.
  • The approach aims to support kidney qi and physical strength, with the intention of easing soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, fatigue, or difficulty urinating.

| Related Formulas

The following products are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the packaging and product insert, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.

Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan
You Gui Wan
Fu Zi Li Zhong Tang

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