I just started seeing a nephrologist.  I donated back in 2012.  I am 74.  My EGFR is 57.  Everything else looks pretty good but something new.  My parathyroid hormone came out to be 81 with 65 and below being normal.  Any ideas?  Thanks.

I hadn't heard of a relationship between low GFR/kidney donation and high parathyroid hormone levels. However, I asked a chatbot (Gemini), and it says there can be a relationship. It cited a 2024 study of 74 living kidney donors that revealed "This reduction in kidney function [from living donation] was accompanied by an increase in parathyroid hormone (PTH) and fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23), key markers in bone and mineral metabolism." An article reviewing the study results is here. So, evidently it's a "thing" for living kidney donors. Who knew? (No me.)

Gemini provided a fairly detailed answer about the relationship, so maybe you can ask your favorite chatbot the question and see what you get.

I'm glad you're seeing a nephrologist!