Blood tests

Your blood is tested for viruses or diseases that could be passed on to the recipient from your kidney transplant. You’ll go to a lab to get these tests done:

• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)​ (which causes AIDS)
  
• Hepatitis B
  
• Hepatitis C
  
• Syphilis​
  
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV) (video)​
  
• Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) (video)
  

You may be able to get your Mantoux test done at your local public health centre. This is a skin test to see if you’ve ever been exposed to Tuberculosis (TB). A small amount of liquid (0.1 ml) is injected under the skin on your arm. You’ll need to have the injection site checked 2 to 3 days later to get the results. In some cases, this can also be a blood test. If so, you’d go to a lab to have this done.

If you’re over age 50 years, you’ll have this screening test for bowel cancer. Anyone with a family history may be asked to have a Fecal Immunochemical (FIT) Test even if they’re not age 50 years.

Your urine is tested for infection, protein, and blood. A urine test is done at least twice over the time of the donor evaluation.

For this test you’ll collect all your urine over 24 hours. The lab will give you a container to collect it in. If you miss some, you’ll have to start over.

When you return the container to the lab, they’ll do a blood test. The dissolved minerals in your urine are compared to those in your blood. The results of the test show how well your kidneys are working.

An ECG​ records the electrical activity of your heart. The electrical activity in your heart is what keeps it pumping blood to and from your body. This test may be done in a lab or clinic and only takes a few minutes. You may be asked to have specialized heart tests or see a heart specialist (cardiologist).

Donors over age 50 years often need to see a heart specialist to make sure your heart is healthy for surgery.