Post-Kidney Transplant Follow Up

What care do I need post-kidney transplant?

The long-term success of your kidney transplant depends on your follow-up care. You need regular appointments so your provider at the Renal Clinic of Houston can monitor your progress and run regular blood tests to be sure your new kidney functions normally.

Follow-up appointments also give you the opportunity to ask questions or simply talk about any concerns you may have. The team at the Renal Clinic of Houston offers compassionate support for all aspects of your health as you adjust to life with a new kidney.

What health issues does post-kidney transplant follow-up monitor?

Your provider closely monitors for several potential problems that can occur after a kidney transplant:

Organ rejection

Your immune system identifies your new kidney as a harmful foreign object, so it tries to eliminate or neutralize the threat. As a result, your body may reject the organ.

You can experience sudden organ rejection at any time during the first year. In some cases, the rejection occurs slowly over time. Your provider runs tests for organ rejection during your post-transplant follow-ups.

Symptoms signaling kidney rejection include:

• Flu-like symptoms (e.g., body aches, chills, and headache)
• Fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
• Urinating less than normal
• Sudden weight gain
• Ankle swelling
• Fatigue

Schedule an appointment immediately if you have signs of kidney rejection.

Medication side effects

You need to take anti-rejection medications as long as you have your transplanted kidney. However, these medications may cause side effects. During follow-up appointments, your provider checks the blood levels of your medication, proactively prevents side effects, and treats any problems that arise.

Recurrent infections

Anti-rejection medications suppress your immune system, making it easier for infections to develop. Even minor conditions like a cold or urinary tract infection pose a risk when you have a weakened immune system.

Though post-kidney transfer follow-up appointments help to monitor for and prevent infections, you should always schedule an immediate appointment at the first sign of an infection.

How often are post-kidney transplant follow-ups scheduled?

Your provider schedules frequent appointments in the first few weeks after you leave the hospital. You may need to see your provider several times a week post-kidney transplant so they can run blood tests and adjust your medications as needed. After your kidney stabilizes, your provider allows more time to pass between follow-up appointments.

If you have any questions about a kidney transplant or your post-transplant care, call the Renal Clinic of Houston or book an appointment online today.