A 43-year-old member asked:
Could use your help docs! a friend has a condition called 'addison's disease' which is a fault with his adrenal glands. if i'm a match, would it be possible to donate?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 47 years experience
Not a treatment: Addisons is treated with supplementation of the under-produced hormones. Transplantation and the complex series of medications needed to prevent rejection would be more trouble than the simple treatment now available.Nice thought, but not realistic.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 38-year-old member asked:
What to do if my friend has a condition called 'addison's disease' which is a fault with his adrenal glands. If im a match, would it be possible to donate?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Paul Kaplowitzanswered
Pediatric Endocrinology 46 years experience
Not possible: Addison's disease is effectively treated with hormone replacement (a glucocorticoid hormone and a mineralocorticoid hormone). No one has tried an adrenal transplant for this because taking the medication is not difficult and transplants of any type are expensive and risky.
4.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
What do you suggest if my friend has a condition called 'addison's disease' which is a fault with his adrenal glands. if I'm a match, would it be possible to donate?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in

A Verified Doctoranswered
32 years experience
No : Hi. Addison's disease is not ever treated with organ transplant. It is very easily treated with medication and education about how to manage severe illness/stress. It's kind of you to think of donating an organ to help, but you get to keep your adrenals! You CAN, however, be listed as an organ donor on your driver's license in case you're killed. That's a nice thing to do for someone.
3.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
My friend has a condition called 'addison's disease' which is a fault with his adrenal glands. If I'm a match, can I donate?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

Dr. Ed Friedlanderanswered
Pathology 45 years experience
Not transplantable: You're so nice to offer a transplant, but Addison's isn't amenable to transplant therapy. Actually, it's quite easily managed provided the patient is compliant. Jack Kennedy had it while president. Best wishes.
3.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Mar 31, 2014
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