Living Donors Online Message Board
Living Donation Discussion and News => Living Donation Forum => Topic started by: andy on January 09, 2017, 03:35:29 PM
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I am thirteen years out from being a living kidney donor (Jan. 2004). Recently my doctor has been worried that my creatinine levels are too high (1.2 and 1.6). The doctor doesn't know whether this suggests a problem with my kidney, or if it is attributable to one kidney doing the work of two. I have never had any problems in the past, and in fact am in better health now than I was at the time of donation. I was told I had no other health problems that could be causing these increased levels. Anybody had an experience like this, and if so, what was recommended to treat it?
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Dear Andy,
Two posts in the last two days discuss this topic.
Many kidney donors have a creatinine reading above normal. If it is stable, this is not a reason for concern.
We also have an enlarged kidney, which is not 'normal'.
Why don't you visit with a nephrologist? Many physicians have no idea what is 'normal' for a person with a single kidney.
Love, elephant
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Those numbers are above normal, but not by much. For reference, I believe my husband's creatinine level was around 7 pre-transplant and he was not on dialysis yet. He's at 1.4 post-transplant. So it's not too bad, where you are.
It's good to pay attention, but I wouldn't worry too much about it. Stay well hydrated and keep an eye on the numbers.
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have you gained weight? Do you have hypertension or pre diabetes...what was your GFR pre donation? it all matters
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Also were you well hydrated before the test. I had a weird result last summer, 1.2 (whereas it was at 0.87 six months after surgery) but looking back, I had red meat the night before (which I rarely eat) and it was hot and I hadn't drank a whole lot of water. I think those may have played a role in the results. But even at 1.2 the doc wasn't worried.
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Thanks to all who replied to my question. I don't remember what my pre-donation creatinine levels were. I have not gained any weight. Perhaps I could have been better hydrated. I have just submitted to another blood test and a urine test. Hopefully, it will provide me some more answers to my questions. Thanks again. Andy