Frequency of antibody testing

[OneForTheBirds]

I've been told I need to have blood tests every two months for antibody detection.  ?? That was news to me.  Does everyone pre-transplant do this?

[MooseMom]

Yes.

For me, though, it was every month.  I WISH it has only been every other month.  You're lucky!  Do you have to go to a clinic to have your blood drawn, or can you do it via mail?  The "Gift of Hope", which is the organ procurement program in the region where I live, sent me a packet every month containing a special vial.  I'd use the vial to get my blood drawn and then would package it all back up and mail it back.

Antibodies can change depending upon infections you may have had or may have been exposed to.  They need to have the most up to date information so that when a kidney is available, they can more accurately determine if you would be a good recipient for that particular organ.

[iolaire]

Initially it was once per month, and that was a pain pre dialysis because there are no orders for that stick. For a while my nephrologist's greeter could do it, but then she went back to school and I was always trying to figure out where I could get it done. There was a hospital lab a ways away that would do it but they billed insurance about $80 and I hate being ripped off even when I'm not paying. Since starting dialysis it moved to every three months and it's much easier because I can bring the box in and the fill the vial when they hook me up.

[OneForTheBirds]

No such convenience for me, but I am a 5 minute drive to the hospital.

I attended a whole information session about transplantation before being listed, I was incredulous because it was the first time I heard of this!

I have programmed reminders on my electronic calendar.

[Simon Dog]

I am required to send two red top vials into the tissue typing lab at one of the Boston hospitals (not the one where I am listed for a transplant) once a month.   I am not sure what tests they run on these, but I assume it included antibody testing.