GLP-1 Drug Liraglutide Helped an Obese Mother Lose Enough Weight to Donate Her Kidney to Her Son

What the researchers found

A 63-year-old woman with grade II obesity (BMI not specified but >35 kg/m²) was initially denied as a living kidney donor. After 3 months of comprehensive treatment at a cardio-obesitology clinic — including caloric restriction, physical activity, and liraglutide — her BMI decreased to 33.4 kg/m². Subsequent evaluation confirmed no surgical contraindications. An incidental finding of hematuria led to a diagnosis of benign Alport syndrome carrier status, which without proteinuria or renal impairment did not preclude donation. She successfully donated her kidney.

Why it matters

Obesity is increasingly disqualifying potential living kidney donors, while organ donation demand continues to outstrip supply. This case demonstrates that GLP-1 receptor agonists can provide a faster, less invasive alternative to bariatric surgery for donor candidates who need to lose weight. This could expand the pool of eligible living donors and improve transplant outcomes.

How the study worked

This is a single case report from a cardio-obesitology clinic. The patient received a comprehensive lifestyle modification program including caloric restriction, physical activity, and pharmacological treatment with liraglutide (GLP-1 receptor agonist). BMI was tracked over a 3-month follow-up period, and standard pre-donation medical evaluations were performed.

What this study cannot tell us

This is a single case report (n=1) and cannot establish generalizability. The exact starting BMI is not specified in the abstract. The 3-month timeline is short, and it's unclear whether the weight loss was maintained long-term. No comparison to bariatric surgery outcomes is provided. The specific liraglutide dose and its individual contribution versus lifestyle changes cannot be isolated.

How to read the evidence

This is a single case report — the lowest tier of clinical evidence. While the outcome is compelling, it represents one patient's experience and cannot be generalized without larger studies comparing GLP-1 RA use in donor candidates.

When this study was published

Published in 2025, this case reflects the current era of GLP-1 receptor agonist use, though liraglutide is now considered a less potent option compared to newer agents like semaglutide.

The bigger picture

This case sits at the intersection of two major medical trends: the obesity epidemic and the organ shortage crisis. As GLP-1 drugs become more widely available and effective (with semaglutide and tirzepatide offering even greater weight loss than liraglutide), they could systematically expand the living donor pool by enabling obese but otherwise healthy individuals to qualify for donation through medical rather than surgical weight loss.

Questions still open

• Could newer, more potent GLP-1 agonists like semaglutide or tirzepatide achieve faster or greater weight loss for donor candidates?
• Should transplant programs develop standardized GLP-1 RA protocols for obese donor candidates?
• What is the optimal BMI threshold for accepting GLP-1-treated donors, and how does post-donation weight trajectory affect outcomes?

Common questions

Read the original research

Improving the Quality of Two Lives by Treating Obesity.

Reports (MDPI), 8(2)

Citation

Nagy, Norbert; Kleinová, Patrícia; Péč, Martin Jozef; Samoš, Matej; Dedinská, Ivana. (2025). Improving the Quality of Two Lives by Treating Obesity.. Reports (MDPI), 8(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/reports8020085