People with type 1 diabetes often may be candidates for a pancreas transplant. Some people with type 2 diabetes and post-total pancreatectomy diabetes may be eligible for a pancreas transplant.
Doctors recommend pancreas transplants for people with diabetes to:
- Reduce or eliminate the risk of severe low blood sugar reactions
- Eliminate the need for insulin injections
- Potentially prevent or improve diabetes complications
- Improve quality of life
Your transplant team will evaluate you to determine whether a pancreas transplant may be safe and beneficial for you. Your comprehensive evaluation includes blood tests, imaging studies and other tests. Doctors will check you for other serious conditions, including heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease, cancer, foot or leg ulcers, and significant insulin resistance.