Nephrology and Hypertension

The Mayo Clinic experts who offer diabetic nephropathy services provide skilled diagnosis and individualized treatment plans to people with diabetic nephropathy (diabetic kidney disease).

Coordinated care

Your kidney doctor (nephrologist) helps you manage the many medical and nonmedical issues you face owing to your condition. Kidney doctors collaborate closely with other specialists, including cardiologists, endocrinologists, pharmacists, hypertension nurses and dietitians. Your dietitian customizes your therapy based on a treatment program developed at Mayo Clinic. Your care team members work with you to achieve your treatment goals. And they coordinate with you and one another to ensure that your visits are efficient and complete. They also work closely with your local doctor to coordinate treatment and follow-up care.

Advanced diagnosis and treatment

The diabetic nephropathy services team offers advanced and precise diagnostic tests that can identify whether you have diabetic nephropathy, even if you aren't experiencing symptoms. Diagnostic tools include blood tests, urinalysis, renal imaging, kidney biopsy and urologic evaluation.

If you receive a diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy, your doctor will talk with you about the full range of treatment options to help slow down disease progression. Your care team will monitor how you are responding to treatment and adjust your treatment plan when needed.

Your care plan may include:

• Medications to help manage and improve kidney function, high blood pressure (hypertension ), blood sugar control, anemia and cholesterol level
• Nutrition counseling, with development of a customized dietary plan to limit salt, protein, caffeine and alcohol intake
• Conversations with your care team about lifestyle changes to maintain good health, such as smoking cessation, exercise and weight management
• Medication review and dosage adjustment or change, to minimize or prevent side effects
• Medication counseling about drugs that could cause further kidney damage, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and iodine contrast agents, which are used for angiogram studies and CT scans

Research

Mayo Clinic physicians and scientists are committed to conducting research into the causes of diabetic nephropathy and new therapies to treat it. Talk with your doctor about opportunities to participate in Mayo Clinic clinical trials testing new therapies for diabetic nephropathy.