Do I have urinary problems because I have just one kidney?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 26 year old guy, with one kidney. One year ago, I made a CT scan with contrast. A week after this event, I started to have white stuff in the urine. If I am sitting, there are white things floating on the surface. If I am up, it starts to foam a lot. So, I did a blood and urine test. All the results were good. So my question is, what is going on? I have no specific symptoms, only a burning sensation on the urethra sometimes. With one kidney, my mind is going crazy.

Thank you for any help or advice.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have seen the reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity). First, let us discuss the prognosis of a single kidney. I have had many patients in the OPD (out patient department) with an incidentally detected single kidney in the age group of 60's. Also, I am involved in active kidney transplant program from live related donors. Here too, there is a very minimal effect on the donor's health after they are left with only one kidney. This is in spite of the kidneys having learned to work as a pair to start with. In fact, a congenitally single kidney is actually better adapted to function that way. So, it is very unlikely for you to have any adverse health risks due to a single kidney. But, for sure you need to be a bit cautious if you develop any kidney-related disease such as kidney stones. Your reports of urine and others confirm that everything is right. Now regarding the two pictures. Urea and other contents that are normally found in the urine create a foam in all normal people if directed to fall in a puddle. The white things that are floating are urethral secretions and precipitated semen, which is also normal. I can help you further if there is any other query.