Donation rejection help

[Tntban25]

Hello,
I was recently denied being a kidney donor for my 19 year old son who is on Dialysis due to Alport Syndrome. I was evaluated and was denied due to Metabolic Syndrome( high blood pressure, overweight, cholesterol and triglyceride levels) and a fatty liver. Even though I can rectify the Metabolic Syndrome through healthier lifestyle, I am not eligible for reevaluation due to A Fatty liver. Looking for advice on possible solutions or anyone that has experienced this also. Thank you

[Fr Pat]

     Hi. I'm not a medical professional, but I had the impression that a "fatty liver" could likewise be gradually improved by good nutrition and exercise. But I'm not really sure of that. Perhaps you could check with your own doctor?
     Also keep in mind that the hospitals want to be sure that each donor really WANTS to donate, as sometimes there may be folks who feel they HAVE to donate and are too embarrassed to say no. So a hospital MIGHT present a health-related objection, in such a way that the person who really dies not WANT to donate can gracefully drop out with a good excuse, while the person who DOES really want to donate will persevere and try to overcome the obstacle.
     You might want to also post your question at the FACEBOOK page of Living Donors On Line, as more donors read and respond to the postings there.
       Fr. Pat

[Tntban25]

Thanks for your time and info Fr. Pat. It is also my impression that healthy living will help, but will consult doctor . Transplant evaluation process is somewhat confusing in that answers and reasons for rejection are fairly vague. At first I was rejected because of metabolic syndrome. Was told that if I lost at least 20 lbs and got blood pressure under control could possibly be reevaluated, was advised to be persistent. I worked hard and met those conditions and called to find out about reevaluation and was told that I wasn't a candidate due to "fatty liver" and was not eligible any longer at that center. Feel very confused. I'm just trying to find out any possible remedies to this condition so I can pursue donation through another transplant center. Perseverance. Thanks for listening.

[sherri]

It must be so difficult to be a parent who wants to donate to their child and isn't able to because of a medical issue. The process of testing potential donors is meant to exclude anyone who has something in their medical history that would increase the risk of that donor to have an adverse outcome or do more harm to the recipient by exposing them to potential infections or other complications. If this eligibility testing is compromised in any way it will erode the entire system of donor testing. Some conditions put the donor at risk some conditions put the recipient at risk.

Fatty liver is usually divided into two groups depending on cause. Fatty liver from alcohol or non alcoholic fatty liver disease. I am sure you must have read up on this extensively, if not you can google and go onto a website from a major health institution. Here is one website (information purposes only no medical advice).

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/liver_biliary_and_pancreatic_disorders/nonalcoholic_fatty_liver_disease_134,178/

Fatty liver from non alcoholic causes is usually caused by metabolic syndrome, like you mentioned, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, diabetes. The damage cannot always be reversed, but by controlling blood pressure, cholesterol diabetes you can prevent further damage. Patients with fatty liver disease may go on to develop liver failure. Given this diagnosis you may want to consider seeing a hepatologist (liver specialist) to see what you can do to reduce your risk of damage.

In the meantime, perhaps you can advocate for your son and get the word out that he is in need of a transplant. Someone may want to test who was not aware of the need. Should someone be an eligible donor but not compatible you can research programs for incompatible donors and also exchange programs.

Wishing you and your family all the best.
Sherri