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Glossary

Medical words, in plain English.

Common terms

Allograft
The transplanted kidney.
Creatinine
A waste product in blood — used to measure kidney function. Lower is generally better.
GFR
Glomerular Filtration Rate — how well kidneys filter blood. Higher is better.
Immunosuppressant
Medication that calms the immune system so it doesn't attack the new kidney.
Rejection
When the body's immune system attacks the transplanted kidney. Can usually be treated if caught early.
CMV
Cytomegalovirus — a common virus that can cause problems in transplant patients. Often prevented with antiviral meds.
Trough level
A blood test that measures how much medication is in the body just before the next dose.
Biopsy
A small tissue sample from the kidney, used to check for rejection or other issues.