What Would Disqualify You From Donating a Kidney

Choosing to donate a kidney is one of the most selfless and meaningful decisions you can make. Living donation gives someone else—often a family member or friend—a better quality of life and often a longer one too. If you're thinking about donating, you're likely wondering: What would disqualify you from donating a kidney?

This guide will walk you through the most common medical and lifestyle-related reasons someone may be disqualified from donating a kidney. You'll also learn how the donation process works, why certain conditions matter, and what options are available even if you're not eligible right now.

Let’s explore this journey together—so you can make the most informed, empowered decision possible.

Why some people can’t donate a kidney

Living kidney donation is a major medical procedure. While it’s generally safe for healthy individuals, the medical team’s top priority is to protect you, the donor, as much as the recipient.

You’ll go through a careful screening process to make sure that:

• You’re physically and mentally healthy enough for surgery

• Your remaining kidney will keep you healthy for life

• The kidney you're donating is suitable for the recipient

If you have certain health conditions, donation may not be recommended—or may be ruled out entirely.

If you already have a chronic condition, such as stage 2 kidney disease, you may not qualify as a donor but could still manage your own health proactively.

Absolute vs. relative disqualifiers

Most transplant centers divide disqualifying conditions into two categories:

• Absolute disqualifiers: These are health issues that automatically prevent donation. They present too great a risk to you or the recipient.
  
  

• Relative disqualifiers: These depend on severity, control, and your overall health. In many cases, they can be managed or reversed over time.

Elevated protein in urine is one of the most common early indicators of kidney disease and a disqualifying factor for living donors.

Absolute disqualifying conditions

Let’s look at some of the conditions that usually rule out kidney donation:

1. Active cancer

If you currently have cancer or have had it recently, you won’t be able to donate a kidney—especially if the cancer is aggressive or likely to recur. However, exceptions may be made if:

• The cancer was completely removed

• You’ve been cancer-free for a specific number of years

• It was a low-risk cancer (e.g., certain types of skin cancer)

Talk with your transplant team if you have a past cancer history. They'll assess your specific case based on recurrence risk and time since treatment.

2. HIV/AIDS (in most cases)

HIV was once a universal disqualifier. Today, some transplant centers allow people with HIV to donate to recipients who also have HIV, but this is not yet widely practiced and depends on local policies and regulations.

3. Severe kidney disease

This may include:

• A history of chronic kidney disease (CKD)

• Low glomerular filtration rate (GFR)

• High levels of protein in your urine

• Structural kidney issues

Your kidneys must be functioning well, and your imaging results should show two healthy kidneys.

4. Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes almost always disqualifies someone due to the high risk of future kidney damage. It’s an absolute disqualifier at nearly all transplant centers.

Individuals with type 1 or poorly controlled type 2 diabetes may show signs of glucose in urine, which often suggests impaired kidney filtration.

Relative or conditional disqualifiers

Some conditions don’t automatically prevent donation, but they may raise red flags. Here’s what they are—and how they’re handled.

1. Type 2 diabetes

If you have Type 2 diabetes:

• You may be eligible if your blood sugar is well-managed and there’s no kidney damage

• You’ll need to undergo extra evaluations, including hemoglobin A1c testing and kidney function tests

Prediabetes may not disqualify you, but you’ll likely be asked to improve your diet and exercise habits before proceeding.

Regularly monitoring your glucose levels at home can help assess your risk before applying to be a donor.

2. Hypertension (high blood pressure)

• Controlled hypertension (on 1–2 medications) may be accepted

• Uncontrolled or severe hypertension is often disqualifying

Even if your blood pressure is borderline, transplant centers may recommend lifestyle changes—like lowering sodium intake or increasing physical activity—to qualify later on.

If you have high blood pressure, follow these tips on how to protect your kidneys and improve your donation eligibility.

3. Obesity (high BMI)

• A BMI above 35 is usually a barrier to donation

• A BMI between 30–35 may still be acceptable, depending on other health markers

• You may be asked to participate in a weight loss program or work with a registered dietitian
  
  

Obesity often overlaps with fatty liver, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance—so metabolic health is evaluated in full.

4. Heart disease or lung problems

If you’ve had:

• A heart attack

• Heart failure

• Irregular heartbeat

• Lung disease like COPD or uncontrolled asthma

…you may be at higher risk during surgery. That said, transplant centers will conduct thorough cardiac and respiratory evaluations to determine eligibility.

5. Mental health conditions

If you live with a mental health condition such as:

• Untreated depression

• Bipolar disorder

• Anxiety

• Schizophrenia

…you won’t automatically be disqualified. Instead, the transplant team will look at:

• Whether the condition is well-managed

• Your ability to make informed decisions

• Your access to support during recovery

You’ll meet with a mental health professional during your evaluation to ensure you feel confident, supported, and emotionally ready.

Infectious diseases

Transmissible infections can sometimes prevent donation, including:

• Hepatitis B or C

• Active tuberculosis

• Bloodborne illnesses

However, some transplant centers now consider donors with well-controlled hepatitis or past infections—especially if the recipient shares the same condition. Every situation is reviewed individually.

Pregnancy, fertility, and gender-specific considerations

• If you're pregnant, you cannot donate until after childbirth and recovery

• You’ll usually need to wait 6–12 months postpartum

• If you plan to get pregnant in the future, discuss this during screening

Kidney donation is safe for most women, but there's a slightly higher risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy post-donation. Your transplant team will help you make an informed decision based on your reproductive goals.

Lifestyle-related barriers

Some non-medical factors can also disqualify you, including:

1. Substance use

• Active use of illegal drugs or alcohol abuse is disqualifying

• You’ll need to demonstrate a sustained period of sobriety

If you consume alcohol regularly, understanding how alcohol affects your kidneys is important before proceeding with any donor application.

2. Smoking

While not always a disqualifier, heavy smoking increases surgical risks. You may be asked to quit before donation.

3. Lack of support system

Recovery from kidney donation requires time, rest, and someone to help you—especially during the first two weeks. If you lack stable housing, transportation, or caregiver support, donation may not be safe.

The kidney donor evaluation process

Step 1: Initial intake

You’ll start by:

• Filling out a health questionnaire

• Talking to a transplant coordinator

• Completing basic blood and urine tests
  
  

If you pass these early steps, you’ll move to a comprehensive evaluation.

Step 2: Full medical workup

This usually includes:

• Physical exam

• Blood work and imaging (including CT scan of kidneys)

• Heart and lung evaluations (EKG, stress test)

• Kidney function assessment (GFR, urinalysis)

• Mental health and psychosocial evaluations

A common test used during the donor screening process is the urine protein/creatinine ratio, which helps assess kidney filtration efficiency.

You may also be evaluated by a donor advocate—someone who helps ensure you’re not being coerced or pressured.

What happens if you're disqualified?

If you find out you’re not eligible to donate a kidney, it’s normal to feel disappointed. But being disqualified doesn’t mean you’re unhealthy—it means that donation may pose too much risk.

Here’s what you can do instead:

• Donate blood or plasma regularly

• Join a donor registry for organs or bone marrow

• Support a loved one emotionally or financially during their transplant journey

• Spread awareness about the importance of living donation

• Improve your health and reapply later, if the condition is reversible (e.g., obesity, blood pressure)

Making lifestyle changes to reduce proteinuria can potentially reverse a disqualifying condition and reopen eligibility.

Expanded Criteria Donors (ECD): A new direction

Because the need for kidneys far exceeds the number of available donors, some transplant centers are now exploring Expanded Criteria Donors (ECD). These include people who:

• Are over 60

• Have mild hypertension or early-stage diabetes

• Have a slightly lower kidney function, but are otherwise healthy

The goal is to match more patients safely with donors—without compromising long-term outcomes. If you don’t qualify under traditional guidelines, ask your center whether they consider ECDs.

Life after donation: What to expect

Most people recover fully after living kidney donation and go on to live healthy lives. Here's what the typical recovery looks like:

In the first few weeks:

• You’ll stay in the hospital for 1–3 days

• You’ll be advised not to lift anything heavy for 6–8 weeks

• Most donors return to work within a month (depending on the job)

Long-term:

• You’ll have annual checkups to monitor blood pressure and kidney function

• You can resume all normal activities, including exercise

• You’ll need to avoid high-dose NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) to protect your remaining kidney

According to studies, most living donors have no decrease in life expectancy and experience a high degree of emotional satisfaction from the donation.

Many donors go on to live full lives after surgery, and living with one kidney is entirely possible with regular checkups and mindful health habits.

Takeaway: You can still make a difference

If you're not eligible to donate a kidney, you're not alone—and it doesn't mean you’re unhealthy or unworthy. It simply means that, right now, your body isn't the right fit for this specific role.

What matters most is that you asked, cared, and considered helping. That’s something to be proud of.

Curious about your kidney and metabolic health?

Ribbon Checkup offers an at-home test that lets you track markers related to kidney, liver, and metabolic health—so you can stay informed and empowered.

Explore the test kit here

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I donate if I’m over 65?

Yes, age alone isn’t a barrier. If you’re in good health and meet the requirements, you may still be eligible to donate.

I had cancer years ago. Am I automatically disqualified?

Not necessarily. If you've been in remission for a certain number of years and your cancer was low-risk, you may still qualify.

Will my insurance cover the costs?

Yes. The recipient’s insurance typically covers all donation-related medical costs. However, lost wages and travel expenses may not be covered—check with your transplant center for details.

Can I still live a normal life with one kidney?

Yes. Most people with one kidney live normal, healthy lives. You’ll just need regular follow-ups and a few lifestyle adjustments.

 Related Resources

• Can You Get Disability for Cirrhosis of The Liver?
  Some kidney donors are excluded due to underlying liver disease. Learn how cirrhosis affects disability and donation eligibility.
  
  

• What Is the Normal Range of Protein in Urine During Pregnancy?
  Protein in urine can disqualify donors—including pregnant individuals. Understand what's normal and what raises red flags.
  
  

• Does Alcohol Cause Kidney Stones?
  Even moderate alcohol use can increase kidney stress. See how it impacts your kidney health and potential for donation.

References

References

Bansal, Dr. S. B. (2023, June 29). Understanding Kidney Donation Eligibility & Criteria. Medanta - The Medicity. https://www.medanta.org/patient-education-blog/understanding-kidney-donation-eligibility-criteria 

Becoming a Living Donor. (n.d.). National Kidney Foundation. Retrieved June 16, 2025, from https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/becoming-living-donor 

H, A. (2022). Expanded Criteria Donors - PubMed. Experimental and Clinical Transplantation : Official Journal of the Middle East Society for Organ Transplantation, 20(Suppl 4). https://doi.org/10.6002/ect.DonorSymp.2022.L13 

Kidney transplant. (n.d.). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved June 16, 2025, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/kidney-transplant/about/pac-20384777 

Living donor kidney transplant. (n.d.). Organ Transplantation - NHS Blood and Transplant. Retrieved June 16, 2025, from https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/organ-transplantation/kidney/receiving-a-kidney/living-donor-kidney-transplant/ 

professional, C. C. medical. (2023, August 21). Kidney Donation. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/procedures/7457-kidney-donation 

Samantha Hil, NKR Vice President of Marketing, Microsite Product Manager. (2022, July 11). How Do I Find Out if I am Qualified to Donate a Kidney? National Kidney Registry. https://www.kidneyregistry.com/for-donors/kidney-donation-blog/how-do-i-find-out-if-i-am-qualified-to-donate-a-kidney/