Older Potential Donor concern

[PastorJeff]

I am 60 years old and about half way through the work-up for kidney donation.  Somewhere in my reading (maybe the New England Journal of Medicine) I thought it said that older donors do not pick in GFR in the remaining kidney in the same way that younger donors do.  Did I read that correctly?  What's the current experience on that? 

[Fr Pat]

     I donated at 56, 10 years ago, and am doing fine. The GFR tends to decrease steadily with age in everybody (if I understand it right). I don't know whether kidney donation will speed up that decline or not.
      best wishes,
         Fr. Pat

[WilliamLFreeman]

Giants,

I donated at age 67, and am a physician.  I read about all there was to read in medical journals, medical & surgical & transplantation textbooks,  etc.  Not much research has been done; that is, your (and my) question has not been studied adequately.  The inadequate research indicates that, on average, the recovery percentage is a bit less -- about (as I recall) in the 60%-70% recovery range, compared with 65%-75% recovery range of younger donors.  Notice the overlap, however.  After you get your tests, especially the more accurate test to measure GFR, discuss your results and your question about age with the transplant center's nephrologist &/or consult an outside nephrologist.  Also, please read the topic "The latest on GFR" at the top of the first page of the Forum.

Also, please feel to e-mail me, to set up a time to discuss by phone.

All the Best!   

[PastorJeff]

Thank you Dr for your kind offer.  I will be in touch after I receive my test results.  Jeff Smith