Transplant Center

The kidneys are two organs located on either side of the spine at about the waist level. The kidneys are about the size of your fist, and adult kidneys weigh about four to six ounces each. The kidneys perform several critical functions including:

• Filtering the blood to remove waste products such as nitrogen and creatinine that can become toxic if left to accumulate
• Removing excess fluid that can accumulate around the heart and lungs
• Returning nutrients to the blood stream
• Producing a substance that helps regulate blood pressure
• Producing a substance that is necessary for red blood cell production and that prevents anemia (low blood count)