If you are on dialysis, a kidney transplant is the best long-term solution. But how do doctors choose the right kidney for you?

1. Donor Type

– Living Donor: Family, friend, or volunteer.
– Deceased Donor: Someone who agreed to donate after death.

2. Health Check

– Age 18 to 65
– Free from serious illness (diabetes, high blood pressure, infections)

3. Blood Type Match (ABO)

– Your blood type must match the donor’s.
– If it doesn’t match, doctors may suggest a kidney exchange program.

4. HLA Typing

This tissue matching test helps lower the rejection risk. More matches mean better success.

5. Crossmatch Test

Doctors mix your blood with the donor’s.
– Positive means not safe
– Negative means transplant is safe

6. Kidney Health

The kidney must be:
– Functioning well (creatinine, GFR)
– Free from infection
– Normal in scans (ultrasound, CT)

7. Fair Allocation

If it’s from a deceased donor, the kidney is matched through a national system based on:
– Urgency
– Compatibility
– Waiting time

In Short:

Doctors carefully test and choose only the safest, most compatible kidneys. This gives you the best chance at a healthy life after dialysis.