Is it possible to carry the characteristics of a living donor?

Posted by sec1205 @sec1205, May 18, 2023

Is it possible to carry the characteristics of a living donor? We share dna do we also share personality traits?

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Hello: Sec1205,
You have an interesting question:

For a live donor Kidney to be successfully accepted for a recipient.

There are few things that need to be considered:
- The PRA has to be as low as possible (Panel reactive antibody). (in our case (my wife donor PRA = 0)
- Preferably (not mandatory) some match in the Class II HLA domain (assuming the donor is not you sibling), If you are siblings then you will get one or more HLA matches (provided both have the same parents)

Assuming PRA reaction is in acceptable levels set by the transplant center, then the elaborate testing begins.
- Such as: How healthy both are you (donor & recipient) any existing medical issues, medications ( diabetes, Cardiac health). Can both of you withstand the surgical stress, hazard ratios etc

So within the domestic US, The standards for approval process are quite elaborate & robust and on top of it each Transplant center has it own standards & guide lines.

Best

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@l0lag0lag0b3

Hello: Sec1205,
You have an interesting question:

For a live donor Kidney to be successfully accepted for a recipient.

There are few things that need to be considered:
- The PRA has to be as low as possible (Panel reactive antibody). (in our case (my wife donor PRA = 0)
- Preferably (not mandatory) some match in the Class II HLA domain (assuming the donor is not you sibling), If you are siblings then you will get one or more HLA matches (provided both have the same parents)

Assuming PRA reaction is in acceptable levels set by the transplant center, then the elaborate testing begins.
- Such as: How healthy both are you (donor & recipient) any existing medical issues, medications ( diabetes, Cardiac health). Can both of you withstand the surgical stress, hazard ratios etc

So within the domestic US, The standards for approval process are quite elaborate & robust and on top of it each Transplant center has it own standards & guide lines.

Best

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Thank you for the information. My liver donor was my sister. It was, so far, a successful transplant. 5 months post.
My question was more geared toward the personality traits of a living donor. We similar characteristics as we are siblings with the same parents. More specifically I was not a coffee drinker & now crave it. I am crying & seem more sentimental. Hope that makes sense. Sorry for the confusing title.

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@sec1205

Thank you for the information. My liver donor was my sister. It was, so far, a successful transplant. 5 months post.
My question was more geared toward the personality traits of a living donor. We similar characteristics as we are siblings with the same parents. More specifically I was not a coffee drinker & now crave it. I am crying & seem more sentimental. Hope that makes sense. Sorry for the confusing title.

Jump to this post

I am afraid .. I cannot comment on personality traits.. .. it is good that thing that an individual has control over diet / refrain from smoking etc .. the good karma most likely will show up the test results... perhaps longevity

My focus has always been based on all well documented measurable parameters that are factored in making a transplant, But I do believe that genetics make a huge difference
Good Luck

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@sec1205 - your question is very interesting and I have wondered the same thing.. I think at my follow up in a month, I will ask my transplant team that question. It would be something interesting to research. I had a full liver transplant 1-1/2 years ago. I have the liver of a 14 year old, which just crushed me thinking of her and her family. I received a letter from her Mom at 1 year post LT. I was so happy to learn about her, but so sad she passed at such a young age.
I’ll post something next month if my doctors say anything significant about it.

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@ssapp1

@sec1205 - your question is very interesting and I have wondered the same thing.. I think at my follow up in a month, I will ask my transplant team that question. It would be something interesting to research. I had a full liver transplant 1-1/2 years ago. I have the liver of a 14 year old, which just crushed me thinking of her and her family. I received a letter from her Mom at 1 year post LT. I was so happy to learn about her, but so sad she passed at such a young age.
I’ll post something next month if my doctors say anything significant about it.

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@ssapp1
Thank you for responding. If there is a research program for just that I'd love to be a part of it.
My hero has given me the greatest gift but we joke that my parts miss her parts. She has peculiar personality traits that I believe I've acquired.
I'm happy you've come so far. When did you begin feeling better? I still struggle with energy 5 months out. But I'm not as active as I was before getting sick.

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Hi @sec1205

This is an interesting question. The though has never crossed my mind.

I've had two transplant. The first one i got piece of a liver from my father. Him and I are similar so it's hard to say we adapted shared characteristics.
My second transplant which was two years I got a kidney and Liver from my 18 year old cousin. We were distant relatives and I didn't know him. From what I herd about him, he was an athlete and and he indulged in alchoal and occasional smoking. Just based off those things I cant say I've experienced craving. I will have to ask my doctors as well if they think that is possible. It would be interesting to find out. That would be a koo trait to develop !!

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@jinja320

Hi @sec1205

This is an interesting question. The though has never crossed my mind.

I've had two transplant. The first one i got piece of a liver from my father. Him and I are similar so it's hard to say we adapted shared characteristics.
My second transplant which was two years I got a kidney and Liver from my 18 year old cousin. We were distant relatives and I didn't know him. From what I herd about him, he was an athlete and and he indulged in alchoal and occasional smoking. Just based off those things I cant say I've experienced craving. I will have to ask my doctors as well if they think that is possible. It would be interesting to find out. That would be a koo trait to develop !!

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@jinja320
Thank you for responding. I'm an overthinker and being newly transplanted I have many questions so this support group is wonderful.
May I ask why you initially got a transplant?
My feelings have been that the anti rejection meds keep my sisters DNA in my liver and therefore does not mix with mine. But who knows. I hope they research it.
Hope you're doing well.

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I dont know much about DNA but the anti rejection drugs are definetly keep your body from turning against your sisters kidney. The body does recognize that this object is feorign. I had my first transplant at 17 years old. I was diagnosed with PSC Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis at a young age. I had a couple of miss disgnoses before getting it right. About 15 years after the first surgery, i found out that my liver was going through rejection. I blame this on myself, i was very young at the time of my first surgery and didnt understand the importance of taking my meds and taking it on time everyday. At my 20 year mark i was told i needed a new liver and to make matters worse the meds i was taking for my liver started affecting my kidneys.

Thank you for the wekk wishes, I wish you all the best as well. The kidney thing is new to me. I've changed my diet alot since. I wasnt great at drinking water but now it's like my best friend but not to much to cause swelling. I've also reduced my salt and sugar intake alot. Being older and more aware of what the body needs and learning from not taking my meds properly the first time.

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@jinjinja320
What history you have. I'm happy you're here. Thank you for your thoughts. I had chirossis of the liver diagnosed in 2018. Transplant in 2022.
Not a big drinker but I was on meds & genetics played a part in my diagnosis.
I'm learning that exercise should be the normal part of my life. And food is still a problem.
On the topic of genetics. My sister had a fatty liver which I now have. But I'm not being treated for it. What changes have you noticed in your personality or taste buds that you can share with me?

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@ssapp1, @sec1205, @jinja320, @l0lag0lag0b3
I was traveling home from my annual checkup at Mayo Rochester when I saw this discussion. I wish I would have had the opportunity to mention it! However, I locate a discussion "Changes after Transplant" that I want to share with you. As I read thru the conversation, I was reminded of my early changes when I received my liver and kidney transplant in 2009!

I think you will enjoy reading the experiences and thoughts about emotional, spiritual and/or mental changes or personality changes post transplant by other transplant recipients:
- Changes after Transplant -
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/changes-after-transplant/

I invite you to add your experiences to the discussion.

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