As a veterinarian and kidney transplant recipient, I understand the value of having reliable information and practical tools during kidney disease treatment and transplant recovery. This page brings together kidney organizations, books, everyday monitoring tools, and digital resources that may help patients and caregivers navigate different stages of care.
Some resources reflect my personal experience; others are included because they offer useful information or practical features worth exploring. They are starting points for your own research, not endorsements of every product or service. Always consider your medical needs, budget, and privacy before deciding what is right for you.
Trusted Organizations & Foundations
These organizations offer educational materials, patient support, and information about kidney disease and treatment options.
National Kidney Foundation (NKF): Patient education covering kidney disease, treatment options, transplantation, and living well with kidney conditions. Visit the National Kidney Foundation.
American Kidney Fund (AKF): Kidney health education and information about financial assistance programs for eligible patients. Program availability and eligibility requirements vary. Visit the American Kidney Fund.
Local kidney patient support groups: Ask your transplant center or nephrology clinic about in-person or virtual support groups. Connecting with people who understand dialysis, transplantation, and recovery can help reduce feelings of isolation.
During my own treatment and recovery, connecting with others who understood the experience helped me feel less alone. A support group can provide shared experience, but medical decisions should remain guided by your healthcare team.
Recommended Books & Guides
The following books may help readers understand kidney disease, nutrition, transplantation, and the living-donor experience. Their suitability depends on your stage of treatment and individual medical needs.
The Renal Diet Cookbook: The Low Sodium, Low Potassium, Healthy Kidney Cookbook — Susan Zogheib: Practical recipes and dietary guidance for readers who need to consider sodium and potassium intake. Nutritional restrictions differ between dialysis and post-transplant care, so confirm which recommendations apply to you.
Facing Chronic Kidney Disease: A Guide for Patients and Their Families — Winfred W. Williams, MD, and Ana Ivkovic, MD: A guide to understanding chronic kidney disease, treatment choices, and the challenges patients and families may face.
Kidney Transplantation: A Guide to the Care of Kidney Transplant Recipients — Dianne B. McKay and Steven M. Steinberg: A more clinically oriented resource for readers seeking to understand transplant care and long-term monitoring.
A Kidney Donor’s Survival Guide — Gilbert Chediak: A resource for potential living donors and families considering the donation process.
A personal health journal: You do not need a published book to benefit from writing things down. Recording symptoms, medication questions, blood pressure readings, and questions for appointments can help you prepare for discussions with your care team. Follow your transplant center’s instructions about which measurements to record and when to report changes.
Practical Tools for Everyday Kidney Care
These tools may make everyday monitoring and medication routines easier. None is essential for every patient, and the right choice depends on your care plan, preferences, and budget.
Low-sodium seasonings: Herbs, spices, and salt-free blends can add flavor to meals when you need to limit sodium. Check labels for potassium-containing salt substitutes, especially if you have been advised to monitor your potassium.
A marked water bottle or fluid log: These can help you track intake when your clinical team has prescribed a fluid target. Do not assume that drinking more water is always better; fluid needs vary by patient and clinical circumstances.
A reliable weighing scale: Tracking weight may help identify changes in fluid balance when your care team recommends it. A connected scale, such as the Withings Body+, is optional; the ability to measure and record weight is more important than extra app features.
A medication organizer or dispenser: For people managing multiple medicines, a suitable organizer or automated dispenser may help with routine and adherence. Check that it accommodates your medication formulations and schedule. Never change doses or timing based on a device’s suggestions.
A home blood pressure monitor: Choose a properly validated upper-arm device with a cuff that fits. Check the exact model against an independent validated-device list, such as STRIDE BP. Bring your monitor to a clinic appointment so your healthcare professional can check your technique and compare readings.
A note on phosphate binders: Some patients prescribed phosphate binders find a portable pill case useful. Take these medicines according to your prescribed instructions, including their required relationship to meals. Do not assume that a particular pouch or organizer is medically necessary.
Helpful Tools & Apps
Digital tools can help organize medication schedules and health records, but their features, availability, costs, and privacy practices can change. Check the current app listing and privacy policy before registering.
Medisafe: A medication-management app that offers reminder features. It may be useful for organizing a complex schedule, but reminders do not replace your prescribed medication plan or your transplant team’s instructions. Visit Medisafe.
MyTherapy: A medication and health-tracking app that may help users record medicines, symptoms, and selected health measurements. Review its current privacy policy and data-sharing practices before entering sensitive information. Visit MyTherapy.
Laboratory results and symptom tracking: You can use a paper notebook, spreadsheet, or a trusted digital tool to record creatinine, eGFR, blood pressure, weight, and symptoms when your healthcare team recommends monitoring them. Keep laboratory results in context: a single value cannot establish whether a transplanted kidney is functioning well or whether a complication is present.
Choosing Health Apps and Devices Safely
Before using a digital health tool or buying a monitoring device, consider these practical checks.
For apps and online services
Read the privacy policy: Check what information is collected, how it is used, whether it is shared with third parties, and how you can delete your account or data.
Check security features: Use a strong, unique password and enable two-factor authentication when available.
Review permissions: Consider whether an app genuinely needs access to your contacts, location, camera, or other personal information.
Understand the limits of HIPAA: HIPAA does not cover every consumer health app. Do not rely on a claim of HIPAA compliance alone as proof that a service is appropriate for your needs.
Use official sources: Download apps from their official website or recognized app store, and verify that the developer and app listing match the service you intend to use.
For home monitoring devices
Check independent validation: For blood pressure monitors, look up the exact model in a recognized validated-device directory, such as STRIDE BP.
Choose the correct fit: Make sure the blood pressure cuff fits your arm and follow the manufacturer’s measurement instructions.
Check your technique: Ask your healthcare professional to review your technique and compare your home monitor’s readings with clinic equipment.
Follow your care plan: Record and report measurements as instructed. Do not change medication doses or fluid intake solely on the basis of a device or app.
A final word about recommendations
I am a veterinarian and kidney transplant recipient, not a cybersecurity specialist or a substitute for your nephrology team. I share these resources to help patients and caregivers explore practical options and prepare better questions for their healthcare professionals.
My experience may not reflect what is suitable for every patient. Kidney disease, dialysis, and transplantation involve different nutritional, medication, and monitoring needs. Discuss changes to your health routine with your healthcare team.
These resources are for general educational purposes and are not a substitute for individualized medical advice.
Questions or Suggestions?
Have you found a kidney health resource, book, or practical tool that may help other patients? I welcome suggestions and corrections.
Contact me at info@renalrenewal.com.
Resource availability, features, and policies may change, so please let me know if you spot information that needs updating.