One kidney

[Nogodsnomasters]

I went for an abdominal ultrasound this morning because I've been having problems with my bowels and nausea etc, I've not had one before except for on my ovaries about 7yrs ago. I thought I was going to have my bowels looked at because that's what my problem is with. However I've come out bowels unchecked and told that I only have one kidney?! Like I'm 36yrs old, how am I being told I only have one kidney? I think I'm in shock. The consultant said the GP will probably refer for a CT scan next.
I have severe health anxiety and PTSD caused by medical trauma so I am completely fucking spiralling.
I am sat in my car outside the hospital for the last 30 minutes crying and anxious unable to take off driving.

Honestly it’s normal. Many people are walking around with 1 or more kidneys and don’t realise until they have a scan for unrelated reasons.

my dad found out he had 3 kidneys at 80! Never needed a scan so never knew.

obviously there is a slight concern that you’ll need to be careful with kidney health as you don’t have the spare function those with two do. But otherwise you’ll be fine :)

Please don't worry. It's not that unusual. My friend's dad found out he had one kidney at 80! He's always been in great health and is still healthy at 90. I have one kidney (lost one to cancer).

Thank you both for your messages. Just such a shock! And my mother died of kidney disease so my anxiety is heightened with those thoughts.

you can survive quite comfortably with one kidney - they wouldn't allow living kidney donation if you couldn't.

I only have one and have been totally unaffected so nothing to worry about in my experience. It's really okay

Thank you all for your kind messages. Just so shocking to hear it for the first time at my age, I think it will take a day or two to sink in.

I have 2 kidneys but one was badly damaged before I was 5. I have got through on one and a bit kidneys all these years; carried 3 babies without trouble. It's always a shock to find out things aren't what you thought but, hopefully, you'll be fine. All the best.

I spoke to my GP yesterday who has booked me in 4 weeks from now for a blood test and urine test and made a referral to the renal department, anyone any idea what the renal department will do, would it be more testing (like US again or CT scan) or just a chat? The GP scared me shitless because she said best case scenario is being born with one, worst case scenario is I was born with two and the right one has shrank and that's why they can't find it and if that's the case it puts me at higher risk for future kidney disease. My mother died of kidney failure and I have health anxiety so I really really didn't want to be hearing that tbh. My anxiety is now sky high and I've been awake from 4.30am. (I'm in counselling but my therapist is off this week on her holidays).

I would take this as a positive @Nogodsnomasters, a renal department (consultant and specialist nurses) are going to know way more than any GP. They'll probably want to test the function of your kidney.

DH only has one kidney and he works, exercises, travels, eats and drinks whatever, plays sport - lives a perfectly normal life, essentially. His renal unit has been an absolute godsend.

I found out at 33 that i have 3 kidneys.

Oh my goodness! So do they all work?

Please don't worry. You could well have been born with only one. Even if you did have two it doesn't necessarily mean you'll suffer with kidney disease. The good thing is they know now and will monitor you.

Apparently so!

DH has one kidney - he had a tumour attached to the other kidney removed by emergency surgery when he was 9 - massive scar! They also broke several ribs in the process but then again it was in 1968!

He is 66 now and in pretty good health.

Thanks everyone for your comments, they've been really reassuring. I guess I just need to wait for the referral and tests now and hope for the best!