What are the symptoms of kidney transplant rejection?

Kidney transplant rejection can begin before any noticeable changes in your health appear, as routine blood tests often reveal the early signs of rejection [1]. However, some symptoms may occur that indicate your body is rejecting the transplanted kidney; these include high blood pressure or noticing swelling in the body, because the kidney is not effectively removing excess salt and fluids [1].

It is crucial to contact your healthcare team immediately if you feel unwell or notice any of these symptoms, as early detection and treatment can help manage the rejection.

Understanding Kidney Transplant Rejection

Kidney transplant rejection occurs when the body's immune system recognizes the new kidney as a foreign object and attempts to attack and destroy it [3]. To prevent this rejection, most kidney transplant recipients must take immunosuppressive medications for life [3]. Although these medications reduce the risk of rejection, they also increase the risk of infection [1].

Symptoms and Signs of Kidney Rejection

In addition to high blood pressure and swelling, other symptoms that may indicate rejection of the transplanted kidney include:

• General malaise or fatigue [4].
• Decreased or no urine output [4].

It is essential not to ignore any of these symptoms and to contact your transplant center immediately if they occur, especially if you are taking immunosuppressive medications, as these drugs can mask symptoms of issues like infections [1].

Importance of Periodic Check-ups

Periodic blood tests are a vital part of post-kidney transplant care, as they help monitor kidney function and detect early signs of rejection even before symptoms appear [1]. Initially, you will require regular check-ups at the transplant center; over time, the frequency of these tests may decrease. If blood tests indicate that the kidney is not removing waste products from the blood effectively, or if you develop symptoms of rejection, your transplant doctor or nephrologist may request a kidney biopsy to confirm the diagnosis [1].

What to Do if Rejection is Suspected?

If your healthcare team suspects kidney rejection, your medications will be adjusted to help prevent your body from rejecting the new kidney [1]. In some cases, it may be necessary to return to dialysis and go back on the waiting list for another kidney transplant [1]. It is important to adhere to your healthcare team's instructions and attend regular follow-ups to ensure the best possible outcomes. You can learn more about Kidney Transplant: Preparation, Procedure, and Post-Care (Arabic).

Medical references

• Kidney Transplant
• Kidney transplant
• Warning signs after a kidney transplant - Organ transplantation - NHS Blood and Transplant