Kidney Transplant Information

Kidneys are critically important in your everyday life. Humans have two bean-shaped kidneys, approximately the size of a fist,  in our bodies which are responsible for removing waste and excessive fluid from the body. Every 24 hours the kidneys work hard to filter fluid in the amount of about 200 quarts. Waste products, about 2 quarts every 24 hours,  from this fluid are excreted from the body in the form of urine, while the remaining 198 quarts are kept in the body so that electrolytes and other body chemicals are kept in balance.  Vital electrolytes like salt, potassium, and acids are regulated by the kidneys.

Kidney Function Testing

Doctors monitor blood pressure, and blood tests to detect any protein in the blood as well as the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) which is measured through a blood test called the serum creatinine test.  Another measurement that can be used is to analyze the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood to obtain additional information about your kidney function.

Finding a Transplant Center

If the kidneys are not functioning properly and your doctor determines the need for a kidney transplant it is very important to choose the best facility that you can find for the kidney transplant. You want to know how many procedures (kidney transplants) your particular facility that you choose has done before and how many years they have offered kidney transplants and get statistics on what type of results patients have had with their kidney transplants, (so ask questions about statistics) from the provider you’ve chosen for your transplant.

One of the major medical centers in the United States is the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. As A Minnesota Hospital and Clinic, the Mayo Clinic has set impressive standards for kidney transplant treatment options that are among the best.  The Mayo Clinic has performed in excess of 10,000 kidney transplants and Mayo Clinic Surgeons first began performing transplants at the Minnesota Hospital in 1963. The Florida and Arizona locations of the Mayo Clinic also began offering kidney transplants in 2000 and 1999.  More than 450 kidney transplants are performed each year at the Mayo Clinic.

It is important to check with your insurance company in advance to find out if they provide coverage at major medical centers like the Mayo Clinic or other top organizations. Some patients mistakenly believe that they must obtain healthcare in a major facility closest to their hometown, but in many instances, insurance companies will cover life saving operations like kidney transplants at the top medical centers across the country and not limit you to a local provider. So check your benefits, and find out if your insurer will provide you with coverage at the best medical center you can find for your kidney transplant, and not just the one closest to home.