How should nephrotic syndrome be treated?

Patient's question:

Female, 62 years old, with edema and proteinuria that cannot be controlled

Doctor's answer:

The patient has edema and proteinuria, and the response to hormone therapy is not significant. It is likely to be membranous nephropathy or focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, both of which are not sensitive to hormone therapy.
Hormone therapy has many side effects, primarily because it suppresses the immune system, making the patient more susceptible to infections, which can exacerbate the condition. Additionally, it disrupts metabolism and weakens the body's immune function, failing to address the root cause of the kidney disease. The condition tends to relapse after reducing or stopping the medication.
Kidney biopsy can determine the pathological type of the disease. However, due to the patient's advanced age, the biopsy may cause some discomfort. Considering the patient's condition and the lack of significant response to hormone therapy, it is advisable not to rely solely on hormones. Instead, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) should be recommended to regulate immune function, control inflammation, and repair damaged cells. With proper treatment, the patient's condition can be controlled and meet the criteria for clinical remission.