Can you really live with only 1 kidney?

In general, most people with a single, healthy kidney have few problems. However, some long-term problems have been seen in some people.

In some people who were born with a single kidney, or had a kidney removed during childhood, there is a chance of some slight loss in kidney function later in life. This usually takes 25 years or more to happen. There may also be a chance of having high blood pressure later in life. However, the loss in kidney function is usually very mild, and other person's life span is normal. Most people with one kidney live healthy, normal lives with few problems.