Adrenal Glands

[cupid]

Good Morning-as most of us donors know, our adrenal glands sit on top of the kidney. I was never told that my adrenal gland was removed along with my kidney but am wondering if anyone knows if this is common procedure? Since I donated in Feb, I just cannot seem to get my energy level back to normal and my brain is a bit-very little bit-foggy and I am over emotional and/or down.I have also gained a considerable amt of weight even though I exercise four times a week. I do realize I still have one adrenal gland-so does it take the job of two if one was removed?
I have my second follow up appt in August, just thought maybe someone here could give me an opinon.

[Fr Pat]

     I'm not a medical professional, but from what I have read the adrenal gland atop the donated kidney is usually not removed. However, due to the way the blood vessels may be affected in that area the ability of the adrenal gland on that side to get its hormones into the blood stream may be reduced (or eliminated) in some cases.
     You should be able to find out from the surgeon/hospital whether or not the adrenal gland was removed on that side.
     Some donors on this site have suggested consulting a specialist (endocrinologist) who can do tests to see just how the hormone levels are doing. But who pays for that consultation can be a problem.
      Hope this helps. You can also "search"  the topic of "adrenal gland" at this site to find past postings on the topic.
     best wishes,
         Fr. Pat

[Rinnierich]

I am with Fr Pat, I spoke with my PCP about this question not to long ago and he said that the adrenal gland is not removed. I guess there could be special cases where it would have to be removed. The symptoms you are experiencing seem to be the "norm" for donors. I experienced a lot of them myself, I had a hard time remembering things after surgery for a couple of months but I think I was overly sensitive to the anesthesia. I would suggest calling your transplant team and discussing your symptoms with them or consulting your PCP. Best of luck and hope the feelings pass.

[lawphi]

Your symptoms are associated with pretty much every issue, except you should have weight loss rather than gain if your adrenal gland is at issue.  See your doctor. What is normal for some, might not be normal for you. 

It can take one month to recover for every hour you are under anesthesia.

[cupid]

well then lawphi-it prob isn't the gland because there is no weight loss going on here! I have my appt in a few weeks so I will see what they say
Thank you all for your input

[lawphi]

If it makes you feel better, I have put on ten pounds since donation.  I started eating lunch out.   I also have horrific experiences with two glasses of wine, but not other beverages.  Please let us know what the doctor says. 

[Snoopy]

Hi, Cupid.
   So you know that one adrenal gland was removed?  If you want to know exactly what did go on with your surgery and hospitalization, try requesting a copy of your entire medical record. It's handy to have in any case.  By the way, my transplant center was funny about the adrenal gland.  Because of LDO (particularly posts by Donna Luebke), I kept asking to be tested to make sure my adrenal function was OK and to establish my baseline, about risks of adrenal damage from the surgery, etc.  I kept getting totally blank looks, from everybody.  It seems nobody here ever even heard of the issue.
   Second, I'm no doctor, but could it be your thyroid, perhaps?
   Finally, as others have said, a lot of your symptoms are normal post-donation.
   I hope you're feeling better.
     Be well, Snoopy

[Kidney Bean]

Hi Cupid,
My surgeon told me they never remove the adrenal glands of donors. He said that adrenal glands are usually only removed when a kidney is being removed because it's cancerous. I don't know if this is true in general or just at this hospital.

-Annie

[sloaner1982]

http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00251836

Check out this link. I have gained 40 plus pounds since my left kidney removal and adrenal insufficiency can have either a weight gain or loss.
Start with a endocrinologist to help you with your symptoms. He/she can order the ACTH test to see if you are lacking at all.  You do not have to have complete removal of your adrenal gland to suffer symptoms. If you are a left sided donor, there is a chance that your adrenals can be effected and no longer work as well as they did before donation. Hopefully, more studies like this will give more proof.

[cupid]

sloaner-thank you for the information. I asked at my 1 year checkup in Feb and the surgeon assured me that he did not remove my adrenal gland. But it may not be working as well as it did before -good point.
Also Snoopy-thanks for the suggestion-I am going to ask for a copy of my medical record since I will soon have to follow up with a nephrologist (my two years will be up in Feb)

[PastorJeff]

The surgeon's notes from your surgery should say what he/she did with the adrenal gland.  UCSF provided those at the first appointment.

[Clark]

PastorJeff and all, if you want to know for sure, be sure to ask in advance, in writing. My surgical notes are silent on the topic, and I had to get a verbal assurance from the surgeon months later that the gland was left intact and well supplied by both artery and vein. Frankly, at that remove, I expect he wasn't remembering my surgery specifically, but rather his standard practice. Whether the connections he left 10 years ago actually are providing as much nutrient and waste clearance, as well as secretion access to the rest of my body is an open question. None of the various ways I've needed medical and surgical intervention since seem to be caused or intensified by my donation, which may or may not have included compromising my adrenal gland. Yet.

[Mizchelle]

I too donated in February and I am grateful that my Recipient and I are both healthy, but I am really missing my baseline energy and emotional levels.  I have to push myself to do anything physical and because of that I have gained or just maintained weight. I have also noticed depression and some moodiness.  BUT, I'm also noticing that it has eased “a little” in the past two months. I've been told by many donors that this is not abnormal the first year.

Keep us updated and let us know how your six month checkup goes.  I cannot wait to have mine.  As long as I'm physically healthy, I know the rest will follow.