Glomerulonephritis

This condition is treated in the Nephrology (Renal) clinic.

Pre-referral work-up

History

Who does usually need to be referred to a nephrologist with a suspicion of GN?

• Active Urine Sediment (Haematuria and Proteinuria) with decline in kidney function
• Nephrotic Syndrome- Oedema, Hypoalbuminemia, over 3.5g/24hr urine protein - see Proteinuria under Link to Proteinuriaover
• Proteinuria or haematuria, in patients with known or suspected associated disease (SLE, Hep C infection or risk factors)
• Unexplained proteinuria (usually over 0.5g/day) - see Proteinuria under Link to Proteinuriaover
• Unexplained Glomerular haematuria (proteinuria and haematuria) - particularly in younger patients

All referrals should comply to the outpatient information for clinicians page, referral standards and include in particular:

• History of condition
• Past history of renal disease and co-morbidities

Tests

• FBC
• UEC
• LFT
• Comprehensive metabolic panel (includes calcium, magnesium, phosphate, urea, bicarbonate, chloride, blood glucose)
• Consider lipids
• Mid-stream urine -Urine Albumin/Protein Quantification (Generally Urine ACR) Vasculitis
• Consider renal ultrasound if anatomical imaging needed

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Nephrology (Renal) clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

For more information please see the HealthPathways Tasmania website.

* Red flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention.  They may or may not indicate an emergency.

Clinic appointments

Red location flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

Urgent (Category 1)

Anyone with an acute presentation and signs of acute glomerulonephritis (Active Urine Sediment and over 25% decline in GFR over 6-12 weeks) should be regarded as a medical emergency and referred without delay

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the Consultant/Registrar to organise urgent review.

We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks, or sooner if clinically indicated.

Availability

North

Launceston General Hospital
Level 3 - Specialist Clinics

Phone: 1300 977 694
Fax: 03 6777 5227

North West

Phone: 03 6477 7746
Fax: 03 6777 5214

North West Regional Satellite Service

1 Strahan Street

South Burnie TAS 7230

South

Wellington Clinics
Phone: 03 6166 0000
Fax: 03 6234 3982