Steroids are like double-edged sword. On one hand, it can stop protein leakage and control the deterioration of kidney disease. On the other hand, it brings a lot of side effects.

Then does it mean steroids are a must when proteinuria exists?

Of course not. The amount of urine protein leakage does not represent the severity of kidney disease. The low leakage of urine protein in patients with mild chronic kidney disease does not necessarily indicate the mild pathological injury of the kidney.

The principles of using steroids

1. In general, whether steroids should be used or not does not depend on urine protein, but the type of nephritis.

2. Steroids have obvious side effects. Only when illness conditions reach certain degree are steroids needed.

-It is unnecessary to use steroids for mild cases.

-A small dosage of steroids can be used when the diseases get to a certain extent.

-A certain amount of steroids can be used with severe condition.

Under what condition steroids are unnecessary?

1. Patients with only hematuria, mainly microscopic hematuria, and normal renal function can use some Chinese patent medicine and pay attention to the changes of renal function.

2. Patients with 24-hour urinary protein less than 1 gram and normal renal function can use Chinese patent medicine or tripterygium wilfordii. Patients with high blood pressure or slightly high blood pressure can use ARB or ACEI drugs.

3. With moderate amount of proteinuria, patients are willing to use immunosuppressive drugs to control and achieve therapeutic effect. They can also use Chinese patent medicine, ARB or ACEI and tripterygium wilfordii to treat first. Immunosuppressant such as Cellcept can be added if the effect is not satisfactory.

Treatment to counteract the side effects of steroids

In Shijiazhuang Hetaiheng Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, we often use Toxin-Removing Treatment, which can make internal environment good for kidney self-healing and other medication application. After about one month’s treatment, proteinuria will get reduced greatly. With treatment going on, it can turn to negative. Because this treatment is conductive to improving renal function, proteinuria won’t relapse easily.

Now you know the conditions which do not require steroids. If you would like to get more information on alternatives to steroids, you can leave a message below or contact online doctor.