Dr. W. james Chon
Nephrology and Dialysis
Chicago, IL
27 years experience male
Locations
University of Chicago Medical Center
Chicago, IL
My office hours
Thursday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Show morePhone
Insurances accepted
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois
Medicare
Aetna
AFLAC
Cigna
UnitedHealthcare
About
Bio
Dr. W. James Chon is an experienced transplant nephrologist. He specializes in the evaluation of donors and recipients for kidney transplantation. Dr. Chon has extensive experience in post-transplant treatment, particularly in the management of immunosuppressive therapy for these patients. Dr. Chon has been actively involved in numerous clinical research projects that deal with complex medical issues in renal transplant candidates and recipients.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Nephrology and Dialysis
Internal Medicine
Licenses
United States: Illinois, Kansas, Missouri
Languages spoken
Korean
Doctor Q&A
253 Answers
193 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Depends: A living kidney donor is undergoing a surgery he or she does not need and needs to weigh the potential risks he/she is willing to take. In the U.S., ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Contact Tx Program: I believe you are referring to being an altruistic organ donor. In order to be able to donate, one has to undergo a very thorough donor evaluation th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Varies: Until you lose 80-90% of your kidney function, you may not have very clear symptoms unless you have blood or urine test to see how the kidneys are fun... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old male asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Both: In general, both of the kidneys from the deceased donors are procured and allocated to two recipients.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Bioequivalent: Both Neoral and Gengraf have been used in transplant recipients for many years (Neoral ~30 years, Gengraf ~ 10 years). Gengraf is an AB-rated generic... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old female asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Poorly worded Q: I am not sure what you mean by "while in coma". Most kidney transplant programs will consider "elderly" patients to be a high-risk for renal transpla... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Depends: >100,000 patients are in need of kidney transplants and each year there were ~11,500 deceased donor transplants in 2014. The current wait time for... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Lipitor (atorvastatin): Lipitor (atorvastatin) is a cholesterol-lowering drug that is usually well-tolerated. However, in some patients, adverse effects such muscle injury o... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old male asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Possibly: The symptoms of nausea/vomiting, loss of appetite, and fatigue are common in patients with renal failure. Without knowing the full medical history it... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old female asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Extremely unlikely: Although I am not familiar with deep tissue massage, unless the kidneys are subject to severe blunt force trauma (automobile accident, gun shot wound,... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Possible causes: Coughing can be caused by several different etiologies including infection/inflammation of the respiratory tract (bronchitis, pneumonia), allergy, or ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Stopping meds: Both enalapril and HCTZ (hydrochlorothiazide) usually do not require weaning as long as your blood pressure remains normal after the medications are d... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Heavy Metals: The extent of kidney damage caused by heavy metals depends on the dose, route and duration of exposure. Cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), platin... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Anti-rejection meds: Pregnancy in renal transplant recipients needs to be a planned and carefully monitored one. Mycophenolate mofefil (CellCept) and mycophenolate sodium... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Water soluble: Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin and there are no known interactions with commonly used anti-rejection medications. There are no known serious adver... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Needs clarification: If your CMV antibody (IgG) test was (+), it indicates that you had a prior exposure to the virus but does not mean an active infection. In most renal... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Advance Directive: It is a legal document that details what actions are to be taken for one's health if he or she is not able to make decisions for him/herself because t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
PCR test: PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test is the most widely used for detecting CMV infection/viremia (the presence of the virus in the blood). Viral cult... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
CNI: All calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) --including cyclosporine and tacrolimus-- are potentially nephrotoxic. Although they are widely used as an anti-reje... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 64-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
No: If you have diabetes, transplant programs will not consider you as a potential kidney donor.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Rejection: The recipient's immune system will attack the transplanted organ and it will suffer an rejection. It may take weeks to months before the non-complian... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old female asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
No: Although Supple's informercial featured a physician who taunted the benefit of this product, its active ingredient is glucosamine and chondroitin. It... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Unlikely: It probably depends on what potentially harmful ingredient is in the perfume but it is not a common cause of kidney failure.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Dire need of organs: Unfortunately many patients with end-stage organ diseases are in need of organ transplants but the availability of transplantable organs does not meet... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Decongestant: It is frequently used as a decongestant.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Anti-hypertensive: Amlodipine (Norvasc) is a commonly used anti-hypertensive medication. It is a calcium channel blocker and is usually well-tolerated. Infrequently, i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
High Phos Food: Many different types of food have high phosphorus content. National Kidney Foundation website has an easy-to-read list:
https://www.kidney.org/atoz/... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
MSK: Medullary Sponge Kidney (MSK) is a congenital disorder caused by malformation of collecting ducts into both small and large cysts. However, the actua... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old female asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Sounds like: you have an anemia (iron deficiency). It is not uncommon for female patients who have their menstrual periods to become iron-deficient and anemic. I... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
No: No. However, most kidney transplant program will ask you about your health insurance coverage and support system. You will need to have an annual me... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 55-year-old male asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
No.: There is no clinically proven evidence that moringa has any beneficial effects on chronic kidney disease.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Be compliant: Transplant surgery is just a beginning of this long journey. You need to comply with your anti-rejection meds and post-transplant clinic follow-up. ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 59-year-old female asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
No: Loop diuretics including furosemide (=lasix) can be stopped without tapering it.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 51-year-old female asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Likely normal: Serum creatinine of 87 uMol/L is equivalent to 0.98 mg/dl. eGFR is an "estimate" of your kidney function and is notorious for being inaccurate in peo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
No: High blood pressure or hypertension is not caused by excessive volume of blood in the body. Therefore donating blood usually has no effect on one's b... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Long Distance Eval: The distance is not a big issue but your intended recipient needs to be deemed a transplant candidate before a living donor evaluation can start. Thi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
4-6 weeks: Although most donors are healthiest of the healthy people, the laparoscopic donor nephrectomy will put you out of commission for a good 4-6 weeks. Li... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Risks & Benefits: Most patients will enjoy a better quality of life and longer life span with kidney transplant compared to remaining on dialysis. One needs to realize... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Depends: Tacrolimus is a calcineurin inhibitor and is the most widely-used immunosuppressive medication in the U.S. for organ transplant recipients. It is a t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
No: Cyclosporine is known to cause gingival hypertrophy and one may need a visit to an oral surgeon to have excess tissue removed. Other immunosuppressiv... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Do you mean...: Do you mean "Can I refuse to donate my organs when I die"? Only you have the right to decide whether you want to donate or not. If you don't sign up... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old male asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Depends: Serum creatinine of 138 mol/L is equivalent to 1.56 mg/dl. I agree that your renal function is abnormal. However, whether it is treatable depends on... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Purpose of Renal Tx: When a person has renal failure, it is not just one kidney but both kidneys that have inadequate function. Therefore, a new kidney is needed to assum... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Poss complications: Several possible complications include:
1. Post-surgical complications (infection, bleeding, etc)
2. Acute Rejection (AR rate during the 1st year is
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Contact MD: There is no antidote for CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil). It is an immunosuppressant and it can cause adverse effects such as bone marrow suppressio... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A male asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Not uncommon: Most renal transplant recipients are on multiple immunosuppressive medications and they are at increased risk for skin cancers. All renal transplant ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Yes: Once you are cleared by your transplant surgeon/physician to exercise, an elliptical machine is a great way to improve your cardiovascular function.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
No: No herbal supplement will reliably stop nocturia. More importantly, one needs to find the cause(s) of nocturia.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Highly unlikely: If you had a kidney transplant 14 years ago and still has a good renal allograft function, I highly doubt any transplant doctor will be willing to cha... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. W. james Chonanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Scarring: Glomerulosclerosis refers to scarring of the glomeruli, which are the filter units of the kidney. Renal scarring is a more inclusive term that also i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
5
Recommendations
135
Thank you notes
May 4, 2015
Dr. Chon is a first-rate physician who combines an excellent fund of knowledge with a kind and patient manner. I am very pleased that he has joined us here at HealthTap.
HealthTap member
Nov 11, 2015
Hi, its Arthur Braun, I really miss you on Healthtap.
Arthur Braun
ffecarthur@aol.com #nationaldoctorsday2016 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Jan 25, 2015
Dr. Chon is a superb clinician only surpassed by his caring and empathy for his patients.
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! Chronic fever/neck swelling 1yr+ but bloods & U/S ok - was told I'm ok
HealthTap member
Thank you, this news article was very helpful! I very much wonder if I had this? It makes sense...
HealthTap member
Thanks Doc, this helped clear things up. I'll try finding the article.
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
New York University School of Medicine, NY
Graduated 1996MD
Residency
University of Rochester Medical Center
Completed 1999
Awards
2013 Super Doctors
Fellow, American College of Physicians
Fellow, American Society of Nephrology
Affiliations
American Society Of Transplantation
American Society Of Nephrology
International Society Of Nephrology
Publications
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