Kidney Transplant Abroad :
A Comprehensive Guide for KidneyTransplant in Iran

You need a kidney transplant abroad and time is running out. That’s why we give you valuable information to have a successful and high quality kidney transplant in Iran. It’s very important to choose only those companies that are licensed by Ministry of Health and Ministry of Tourism as they meet the standards for this delicate and important procedure.

 

Choosing to have a renal transplant is a very personal and complex decision, this guide is a base for research, discussion and hope, showing the power of organ donation and the dedicated doctors for renal transplant abroad.

Iran Kidney Center
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Kidney transplantation surgery abroad

Long waiting lists and high costs in some countries have made many patients travel abroad for kidney transplant. Some countries have expert nephrologists and no waiting lists and lower prices.

To travel abroad for kidney transplant surgery the patient must be accompanied by the living donor. In some countries the donor must be a blood relative. In Iran the donor can be anyone with the same nationality as the recipient.

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What is kidney transplantation?

A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure where a healthy kidney from a living or deceased donor is implanted into a recipient whose own kidneys have stopped functioning.This life saving treatment acts as a replacement for the patient’s failed kidneys and allows them to filter waste from the blood, balance the body fluids and control the blood pressure.

The main causes of kidney disease and failure are diabetes and high blood pressure. Other causes are genetic diseases, autoimmune disorders, urinary tract infections and drug use. Manage these conditions well to prevent kidney damage.

Who needs a kidney transplant?

A kidney transplant may be recommended for those with end stage renal disease (ESRD), a condition where the kidneys have stopped working permanently. This can be due to chronic kidney disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. A transplant may also be an option for those with acute kidney failure due to injury or infection. Doctors will assess each case and determine if a kidney transplant is the best option.

Kidney transplant recipients must meet certain criteria to be eligible. There is no age limit for a kidney transplant. But each case will be evaluated to see if the benefits outweigh the risks. Older adults may be more prone to complications from surgery and may have other health issues that need to be considered. It will all depend on overall health and match with a donor. Talk to your doctor to see if a kidney transplant is for you.

What are the main causes of kidney failure?

  • Diabetes
  • Polycystic kidney disease or PKD
  • A history of severe injury to the kidneys
  • Urinary tract infection or back flow of urine into the kidney
  • Congenital kidney failure
  • kidney cancer
  • Blood pressure diseas

Why choose to have a renal transplant in Iran?

Our kidney transplant center in Iran, have been providing kidney transplant services to both local people and foreigners for many years. Iran kidney center has been performing kidney transplant according to European standards, at an affordable price.


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Why you should choose Iran for your kidney transplant surgery?

Delivering high-quality medical services

High quality is not just a slogan; it’s a human right of every patient. High quality is composed of many components such as patient safety, effectiveness, timeliness, efficiency, equity and patient centeredness.

Good medical services are not just about curing illnesses; it’s about the overall patient experience and better health outcomes. When patients feel heard, understood and involved in their care, it creates a sense of well being and a healing environment.

kidney center

No waiting time for chronic renal failure

For patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD), the kidney transplant process feels like a race against time. But in Iran, medical science and policy has advanced and wait times have decreased. In fact Iran is one of the few countries in the world where there is no waiting list for a deceased donor kidney transplant. So patients can get a transplant much faster and increase their chances of recovery.

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Affordable costs

You can get kidney transplantation in Iran with much cheaper and better than European countries and America.


Highly skilled and experienced medical staff

Iran has many experienced doctors, nurses and technicians in kidney transplants. They have the skills and knowledge to do the transplant and post surgery care perfectly.

Iran is a top destination for kidney transplants, affordable prices, no waiting time and highly skilled staff. By choosing Iran for your kidney transplant, you can be sure to get world class treatment and be back to a healthier and happier life. So don’t wait any more, explore the option of kidney transplant in Iran today and take the first step towards a better life. Your health is our priority and we are here to support you all the way. Keep researching, keep asking questions and never lose hope – because with right treatment and care everything is possible.

Types of renal transplants in Iran

There are 2 types of renal transplants: living donor kidney transplant and deceased kidney donors. Living donor kidney transplant is receiving a healthy kidney from a living person, like a family member or friend. This type of transplant has better results and more control over timing than cadaveric renal transplantation. Deceased donors transplant is receiving a kidney from someone who has recently passed away and has agreed to donate their organs. This type of transplant may have longer wait times but can still work.

The average life of a transplanted kidney in living donor is 12 to 20 years, and in brain death donor is 8 to 10 years.

For foreigners who want to have renal transplantation, note that deceased donor for renal transplantation abroad is not available. They will need to find a living donor.

Finding a suitable donor for kidney transplantation: Kidney donation rules in Iran

Choosing the right donor is key in the transplant process. The donor must be a biological match to the recipient to minimize organ rejection. This is done through blood and tissue testing.

The ideal age range for the recipient is 35-50, as people in this age group tend to have better outcomes. For kidney donation, living kidney donors preferred age range is 22-30, as people in this age group are generally healthier and more vital. By considering these age ranges we can increase the chances of good outcomes in transplant.

To donate a kidney a person must be healthy, above 20 years and below 40 years, no history of heart or kidney disease. No history of surgery on vital organs like heart or kidney or serious diseases like cancer or diabetes. No kidney stones or cysts. The donor’s kidney must be functioning well and blood test must be normal. The donor’s left kidney should be single artery. And physically the person should be thin as obese people can’t donate kidney.

You must be aware that it’s illegal in Iran for foreigners to pay an Iranian to be their living donor, both donor and recipient must have the same nationality. So if you’re planning to get a living donor in Iran make sure you both are of the same citizenship!

Important Note: Kidney donors can be family, friends, work colleagues and acquaintances. Being genetically related to the donor is beneficial but not mandatory. Living unrelated donors must come forward voluntarily and without pressure.

Iran Kidney Center

Rules & regulations of kidney transplants for foreigners in Iran: Renal transplant terms

Luckily the laws and regulations in Iran allow foreigners to do kidney transplantation in Iran. The living donor kidney transplants and the recipient must be of the same nationality and both have the same country passport. Note that kidney transplants in Iran are only done in government and university hospitals. Private hospitals in Iran don’t have the permission to do kidney transplants.

To proceed with the kidney donation, the hospital needs to get an approval letter from the Ministry of Health in Iran. This is the permission for the surgery. The documents required for this approval are the donor’s passport, recipient’s passport and consent letter. The whole process takes 7-10 working days to get the approval from the Ministry of Health in Iran.

Eligibility Criteria for kidney transplant

Eligibility for kidney transplant is determined by several criteria to make sure the procedure is safe and beneficial for the patient. Generally, candidates for kidney transplant must have end-stage renal disease (ESRD) with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) below 15 ml/min/1.73 m². This means the kidneys cannot function on their own anymore.

Patients must not have active cancer or infections as these can complicate the transplant and recovery. Severe cardiovascular or pulmonary disease are also contraindications as these can increase the risk of surgery and post op care. Patients with active substance abuse issues or severe mental health disorders may not be considered suitable candidates as post transplant care can be challenging.

A living donor or a suitable match on the deceased donor waiting list is required for a successful transplant. Compatibility is determined through blood and tissue testing to minimize organ rejection. Finally ability to adhere to a strict post transplant medication regimen and attend regular follow up appointments is key to long term success of the transplant.

Contraindications for kidney transplant

Some conditions and factors will make you not eligible for a kidney transplant. Active cancer or infections are big no nos as they can compromise your ability to recover from the surgery and manage post transplant care. Severe cardiovascular or pulmonary diseases also pose big risks during and after the transplant.

Active substance abuse and severe mental health issues will make it hard for you to follow the post transplant medication regimen and follow up appointments and hence not a good candidate for a kidney transplant. Presence of antibodies against the donor kidney will cause immediate rejection of the kidney and hence transplantation is not possible.

Previous kidney transplant failure, severe obesity or malnutrition are also no nos. These will complicate the surgery and recovery and reduce the chances of success. Patients should be in good health and free from these contraindications to get the best out of a kidney transplant.

A Kidney transplant process in Iran

Pre-renal transplant preparations

Before the renal transplantation program itself, several essential steps must occur to ensure the success and safety of the procedure.

Kidney recipient testing & health assessments

 

  • CBC diff
  • Blood group , Rh
  • Panel reactive AB
  • Crossmatch with donor
  • FBS
  • Bun,cr,Na,K ,Ca,P
  • SGOT,SGPT,Bill D,Bill T,ALP
  • HDL,LDL,TG,Chol
  • Pt,Ptt,INR
  • T3,T4,TSH
  • PTH
  • IGRA
  • PSA  (for men older than 50)
  • Wright, widal,VDRL
  • CMV igg, igm
  • EBV igg, igm
  • HSV Ab
  • HCV RNA (PCR), HBVDNA(PCR) (for patients on hemodialysis, history of blood transfusion, IV drug use or a close contact of hepatitis patients)
  • Hbs Ag, Hcv Ab,HIV Ab
  • U/A,U/C
  • VCUG
  • Abdomen & pelvic sonography
  • Breasts and axillary sonography (for women)
  • Chest CT without contrast
  • Sinus paranasal frontal CT
  • Endoscopy
  • Colonoscopy (over 50 years old)
  • Echocardiography
  • Dental clearance 
  • Gynecologist consultation (for women)

Kidney donors testing & health assessments

 

  • CBC diff
  • Blood group , Rh
  • FBS
  • Bun, cr, Na, K ,Ca, Ph
  • SGOT,SGPT,Bill D,Bill T,ALP
  • HDL,LDL,TG,Chol
  • Pt,Ptt, INR
  • HCV RNA (PCR), HBVDNA(PCR) (for patients with a history of blood transfusion, IV drug use or a close contact of hepatitis patients)
  • Hbs Ag, Hcv Ab,HIV Ab
  • U/A,U/C
  • 24 hour urine test   Volume / Cr / pr
  • kidney bladder ultrasound
  • Echocardiography (over 40 years)
  • renal CT Angiography
  • Normal Blood pressure
  • BMI less than  30

Operation

During a kidney transplant, the donor kidney is placed inside the recipient’s body through surgery. It takes several hours and an incision is made in the lower abdomen to access the recipient’s damaged kidneys. The new kidney is then connected to blood vessels and bladder to function properly.

Kidney donors go back to normal life within 2-3 days and are discharged from the hospital. But the recipient of the kidney needs to be monitored for 10-12 days in an isolated ward. This phase is very important as it reduces the risk of graft rejection and proper care of the transplanted kidney. Blood tests are done regularly during this period to check creatine, urea and protein excretion.

How long does it take to perform a renal transplant in Iran?

The whole process of kidney transplantation takes 3-4 weeks but the recipient may need more time for post-operative care which can extend the total duration.

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Recovery timeline after renal transplantation in Iran

The recovery period after kidney transplants in Iran is divided into three phases: immediate recovery, short term recovery and long term recovery.

Immediate Recovery: This phase is for the first two weeks after the surgery. During this time the recipient will be under close supervision of medical professionals to make sure the new kidney is functioning properly and there is no complication. The patient’s diet will also be monitored and they may need extra medication to prevent infection or rejection of the new kidney.

Short term Recovery: This phase is for the first few months after the surgery. During this time the patient will need to have regular follow up appointments with the transplant team and take the medication as prescribed. They may also experience some side effects from the anti-rejection medication such as weight gain or hair loss. The medical team will monitor these side effects and adjust the patient’s medication as needed.

Long term Recovery: This phase is for the rest of the patient’s life after the surgery. During this time the patient will take anti-rejection medication and have regular check ups with the transplant team. They may also need to make lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and having a healthy diet to ensure the long term success of the renal transplants.

Best kidney transplant hospitals in Iran according to transplant patients association

Iran kidney center is one of the specialized and sub-specialized hospital in Tehran. As a national center for kidney diseases this hospital is affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences and is the first and biggest hemodialysis and kidney transplant center in Iran.

Best kidney transplant surgeons and nephrologist in Iran

Success rate of renal transplants in Iran

In Iran the success rate of kidney is 90% for under 65 and 80% for above 65. This is very high and Iran is one of the top countries in kidney transplant. Also for renal transplant recipients and operations have lower risk of complications due to advanced medical technology and highly skilled doctors.

Risks and complications of renal transplantation

As with any big surgery there are risks involved with kidney transplants that patients need to be aware of.

Surgical risks

These include bleeding, infection and complications from the anesthetic. Surgeons do everything they can to minimize these risks but can’t eliminate them completely. Sometimes further surgery may be needed to manage these complications.

Post renal transplants complications

Rejection of the graft, organ failure and side effects from immunosuppressant drugs are some of the complications post transplant patients may face.

Long-term considerations

Over time patients are at risk of chronic rejection and conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes that can affect the functioning of the transplanted organ.

Benefits of kidney transplants

Despite the risks, kidney transplants have many benefits that can make a big difference to a dialysis patient’s life.

Improved quality of life

For many, a successful transplant means the end of regular dialysis and the strict diet and fluid restrictions that come with kidney failure.

Increased life expectancy

Statistically, transplant recipients live longer than those on dialysis. This is because of the health and function of the transplanted kidneys.

Living with a transplanted kidney

After the initial recovery period, several lifestyle changes and a strict medication regime are key to long term success.

Post-transplant care and medication

Medication regime is key to preventing rejection but also suppresses the immune system so post transplant care is critical.

Immunosuppressive medications for kidney transplant

Immunosuppressants are key to preventing rejection of the kidney transplant. These medications suppress the body’s response to the new kidney so it can function in the recipient’s body. Common immunosuppressants are Cyclosporine, Tacrolimus, Mycophenolate mofetil, Azathioprine and Prednisolone.

While these medications are vital for the transplant to work, they also increase the risk of infections and other complications due to the suppressed immune system. Patients must stick to their medication regimen and attend regular follow up appointments to monitor for any side effects or issues. Proper management of immunosuppressants is key to long term success of the transplanted kidney.

Lifestyle modifications

Kidney transplant is not a cure it’s a treatment and requires a lifetime of commitment to your health. This means exercise, balanced diet and no alcohol and no smoking.

Nutrition for Kidney Transplant Patients

A healthy diet is important for kidney transplant patients to support their overall health and the function of the transplanted kidney. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains is recommended. Avoid high sodium and high fat food as these can harm kidney function and overall health.

Drinking plenty of water is important but patients should avoid food high in phosphorus and potassium which can harm kidney function. Vitamin and mineral supplements may be recommended by the healthcare team to ensure patient gets all the necessary nutrients.

A registered dietitian can help create a personalized meal plan according to the patient’s needs and health goals. Nutrition is a big part of post transplant care and can make a big impact on the long term success of the kidney transplant.

Nutrition for Kidney Transplant Patients

Exercise for kidney transplant patients

Exercise is important for overall health and wellbeing for kidney transplant patients. Start with gentle exercises like walking or yoga and gradually increase intensity and duration to build strength and cardiovascular health.

Avoid contact sports or activities that could put the transplanted kidney at risk. Strength training will help build muscle mass which is good for overall health. Don’t do exercises that could cause dehydration or electrolyte imbalance.

Always consult with your healthcare team before starting any new exercise program. Exercise can help reduce complications, cardiovascular health and overall wellbeing for kidney transplant patients.

How much does a kidney transplant cost in Iran?

The cost of kidney transplants in Iran depends on the hospital and the patient’s requirements. But it’s generally cheaper than other countries, $10,000-$15,000. This includes all medical expenses for pre-transplant tests, surgery, hospital stay and post-transplant care for both the donor and the recipient.

Duration of kidney transplant process in Iran

As kidney transplant is a sensitive operation in most countries it takes long time to get the approval to do the operation. But in Iran the whole process will take 3-5 weeks.

No underlying conditions for both donor and patient. In this case Iran is faster.

What happens after kidney transplant rejection? How can renal transplant rejection be prevented?

  • Creatinine and blood urea increased
  • Fever
  • Severe infection Less urine output Using suppressive drugs and staying healthy and hydrated will prevent rejection

Living unrelated donor renal transplants

Sometimes a patient may not have a living donor or may choose to get a kidney from a living unrelated donor. This type of transplant is called an unrelated donor renal transplant and is getting an organ from someone who has donated kidneys but is not related to the recipient.

Unrelated kidney donation factors such as tissue matching, blood type and overall health are still considered when determining the success rate of an unrelated donor renal transplant. In some cases, immunosuppressive drugs may be required for a longer period after surgery to prevent rejection. But with advancement of medical technology and better post transplant care, the success rate of these type of transplants have also increased in recent years.

To increase organ donation success rate, doctors screen potential donors thoroughly to ensure they are compatible and healthy enough to donate. Post transplant care and adherence to medication regimen can reduce the risk of rejection. If rejection occurs, medical intervention such as increasing immunosuppressive.

Renal transplant waiting list

Due to the high demand for kidney transplants there is often a waiting list for patients who need a transplant. Blood type and tissue match play a big role in where you sit on the waiting list. In some cases you may be able to find a living donor or go on the deceased donor list which can reduce your wait time.

But until an organ becomes available you will need to continue with your current treatment for kidney failure. This can include dialysis and sticking to your diet and fluid restrictions. Patients on the waiting list need to stay healthy and keep their transplant team updated on any changes in their condition.

Renal transplant teams report

  • Besides the surgeon, a whole team is needed to care for renal transplant patients. This team includes:
  • Nephrologists: Kidney specialists
  • Transplant coordinators: Nurses or healthcare professionals who work with you throughout the transplant journey
  • Social workers: Emotional support and help with financial and social issues
  • Pharmacists: Manage medications and watch for drug interactions
  • Dietitians: Help you create a meal plan to support your post transplant health

Question & Answer

After a kidney transplant, medication is used to suppress the body’s immune system so the kidney is not seen as a foreign body by the body’s immune system. So the body is more prone to any illness. A transplanted kidney can work for a long time if you practice good hygiene especially in the first year after the renal transplant program. People who have a kidney transplant have a better quality of life than those who are on dialysis. But diabetes and high blood pressure can cause serious problems to the transplanted kidney and the kidney will be rejected.

Yes, in general. But some people don’t qualify for kidney transplant and need to go on dialysis. People with heart disease. People with cancer. People who are old can’t get kidney transplant program.

If the kidney is from a living person, it can work well for 12 to 20 years if the patient doesn’t have underlying diseases like diabetes or hypertension and doesn’t take immunosuppressive drugs, he can live longer.

It’s better if the donor and recipient are the same gender but you need to know that this doesn’t happen in kidney transplant and you may need to undergo some additional tests.

After kidney transplant, you should live a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, balanced diet with low salt and sugar intake, no smoking and no excessive drinking. And regular check up with your doctor and take all medicine as directed.