Can you live with one kidney?

It is important to be aware that, although risks are generally very low, every individual is different and it is possible for other uncommon complications to occur. For example, although rare, ongoing fatigue and persistent pain have been reported by small numbers of the thousands of living donors.

However, most donors lead a normal, healthy life after they have donated and are able to do all the activities that they were doing before.

There is a slightly higher chance of a small increase in your blood pressure or the amount of protein in your urine as a result of having one kidney. However, your transplant team ill check for these issues during follow-up meetings and if found, they can be treated.

The overall risk of developing significant kidney disease in your remaining kidney after donation is very low, occurring in less than one in 200 (0.5%) donors, and it is much less in kidney donors than it is in the general (unscreened) population (because kidney donors are, of course, prescreened to ensure they are healthy).

Whilst most women have uncomplicated pregnancies after donation, there is a slightly increased risk of gestational hypertension or pre-eclampsia.

Compared to people like them within the general public, most kidney donors have the same or better survival, excellent quality of life, and no increase in end stage kidney disease.

Some studies have suggested a small increase in end stage kidney disease after donation among certain groups. However, the risk is still lower than that of the general population. If you are considered to be at higher risk this will be discussed with you and doctors will adjust your follow up care to suit your needs.