Kidney donation is often viewed with apprehension because of misconceptions around health, longevity, and lifestyle after donation. According to nephrologist Dr Anupam Roy, understanding the facts can help potential donors make an informed decision rather than being guided by fear or hearsay.
To that end, he went on to debunk six common myths about the procedure, which are presented as follows.
Fact: A healthy person can generally lead a normal and active life with one kidney, shared Dr Roy.
“After donation, the remaining kidney adapts and takes on a greater share of the body’s filtering function,” he stated. “Most carefully selected donors can return to their regular personal and professional lives after recovery.”
Fact: Kidney donation does not automatically cause kidney failure, pointed out Dr Roy, explaining that donors are thoroughly evaluated before surgery to ensure they are medically suitable.
“However, donation is not a reason to neglect health,” he added. “Regular monitoring of blood pressure, kidney function, weight, and overall health remains important.”
Fact: Contrary to popular belief, physical activity is encouraged once recovery after kidney donation is complete and the treating team gives clearance, shared the nephrologist.
“Donors can generally resume exercise gradually,” he pointed out. “Activities involving a significant risk of direct abdominal trauma may require additional discussion and precautions.”
Fact: Most women can have successful pregnancies after kidney donation. However, as per Dr Roy, pregnancy may carry a slightly higher risk of hypertension and pre-eclampsia.
“Pre-pregnancy counselling and appropriate monitoring during pregnancy are therefore important,” he observed.
Fact: In the words of Dr Roy, “Willingness alone is not enough. Potential living donors undergo comprehensive medical, surgical and psychological assessments to determine whether donation is safe for them. The process must also be voluntary and free from coercion.”
Fact: The nephrologist assured that with appropriate donor selection, follow-up, and healthy lifestyle practices, donation does not necessarily compromise quality of life. “Donors should, however, remain committed to long-term health monitoring,” he pointed out.
“Kidney donation is a significant decision, but it should not be surrounded by unnecessary fear,” shared the doctor. “Accurate information, careful evaluation, and transparent counselling allow potential donors to understand the risks and benefits and make a decision that is both informed and voluntary.”
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Dr Anupam Roy is the additional director of the department of nephrology and kidney transplant at Aakash Healthcare Multi-Speciality Hospital, Dwarka. He has more than 20 years of clinical experience, and his specialities include the management of non-dialysis chronic kidney diseases, diabetic kidney diseases, hypertensive kidney diseases and other kidney diseases.
Debapriya Bhattacharya is a Content Producer at Hindustan Times. He started his career in 2022, working in newsrooms in beats like education, US news, trending stories, and entertainment. In his new role in the lifestyle desk, he seeks to deliver a balanced blend of research-driven reporting and creative storytelling from health and recipes to art and culture. Science, philosophy, food and pop culture are what pump his veins and help bring heart to his stories. Debapriya tries to see out subjects that will allow him and readers to explore new frontiers and improve the quality of life for all. The explorations can be both external and internal, as thoughts seek to be as chaotic as the greater universe. As a citizen of the world, Debapriya has been fascinated by the lives of people across the globe throughout time. His curiosity leads him to explore new linguistic and cultural landscapes to broaden his horizons and deepen his understanding of global narratives. Beyond the newsroom, Debapriya loves to participate in debate and theatre, spaces that he considers to be holy grounds for nuance and self-expression. A graduate from Ashutosh College, University of Calcutta, Debapriya completed his Master's degree from the same university in 2022. An ambiverted bibliophile, he loves his solitude as much as he adores stimulating conversations. And despite his reverence for tech, libraries continue to be his favourite place for research.Read More
