If you are on dialysis, a kidney transplant is the best long-term solution. But how do doctors choose the right kidney for you?
– Deceased Donor: Someone who agreed to donate after death.
– Free from serious illness (diabetes, high blood pressure, infections)
– If it doesn’t match, doctors may suggest a kidney exchange program.
– Positive means not safe
– Negative means transplant is safe
– Functioning well (creatinine, GFR)
– Free from infection
– Normal in scans (ultrasound, CT)
– Urgency
– Compatibility
– Waiting time
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