A 59-year-old male asked:
how long can i live with one kidney?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. John Munshower answered
Family Medicine 30 years experience
Normal life: If generally healthy, people can live a normal life with one kidney.
5158 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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Similar questions
A 21-year-old member asked:
If one kidney fails, can the other survive for another 20 years?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

Dr. Ankush Bansal answered
Internal Medicine 17 years experience
It depends: That is a question that no one can really answer. There are too many variables including your other medical issues, genetics, etc. But with close follow-up, hopefully, it will remain healthy for a long time.
6490 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
CA
A 21-year-old member asked:
If one kidney fails, does the other weaken?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Ankush Bansal answered
Internal Medicine 17 years experience
Usually: Usually when one kidney fails for some reason, the other kidney will grow in size and take on some of the load of the other failed kidney. This takes time (years). Of course, this all depends on the other kidney being healthy and one not having a disease that will affect the other kidney. Nevertheless, one should follow closely with their doctor to ensure the one remaining kidney stays healthy.
6490 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Can I still live a normal life with one kidney?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. Phillip Porch answered
General Practice 40 years experience
Yes: Many people are born with a single kidney instead of two and never know about it unless they have some form of medical imaging.
6312 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Does it mean something if one kidney is slightly bigger than the other?
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. Anthony Cusano answered
Nephrology and Dialysis 40 years experience
Kidney size: No. That is normal.
6094 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Can you survive with one kidney?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Rajesh Boorgu answered
Nephrology and Dialysis 27 years experience
Yes: Yes many patients are either born with one kidney or have to have a resection. The remaining kidney can be overworked to compensate for loss of tissue. Sometimes scarring occurs (called fsgs). However, if the kidney is normal to start with, it usually handles the pressure over the years with no significant problems. Consider nephrology follow up and ace inhibitors.
5648 viewsReviewed Jul 12, 2020
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated May 17, 2018
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