Liver transplant question, blood types and age of donors, your experience?

Question

Our brother, half-brother to some of us, needs a liver transplant. He is 58. We are his full and half siblings ages 51-65 (there are 6 of us). Questions: Are we too old for one of us to donate a part of our livers? Also our blood types are different. Could some one explain which type can donate to which type? Who can AB negative donate to? We think he is A+, but are waiting for answers to this, so a complete run-down would be appreciated since we all have different blood types and his type is still unknown to us.

Also if someone has donated part of their liver out there, could you please share your experience with us. THANK YOU.

Answer 1

The usual range of age for liver live donors is 18 to 55. Occasional exceptions have been made but are very unusual. The blood group should preferably be identical but should at least be compatible. O group can donate to any other group. A and B can donate to their own group and to AB. AB can only donate to their own group. The Rh factor is not important particularly since the recipient is a male.

Answer 2

This is a very delicate question, you can't trust Internet people; ask to doctors or medical experts, not to anonymous people from the Internet that could only give you ignorant and inaccurate answers. Ask the experts that take care of your brother; they know all about the ages and blood types needed for donation.

Answer 3

While Artman has a good point, there are people in this group who are actual physicians.

Even though I am a physician, I also post links to relevant sites that I read prior to posting. This allows the reader to consider the evidence for themselves from a neutral and authoritative source.

I also usually refer the reader to contact their physician of record for more information since it is impossible and, incidentally, contrary to medical training to try to diagnose a condition over the internet. And this is what you will need to do to determine your suitability to become a donor. I will say from experience that being in your 50's is not an automatic disqualifier from being a donor.

For reference on this subject try:
http://hora.cpmc.columbia.edu/dept/liverMD/tx_donor.html