Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My wife is 31 and was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 7. She had a baby three months ago, and her blood sugar levels were never really controlled. Doctors tested her kidney function and said there is "a little damage" but nothing to worry about. They said a pancreas transplant might be an option. How risky is this? What medications will she need to take following the transplant?
ANSWER: Most patients with type 1 diabetes do not require a pancreas transplant, because newer insulin regimens can keep their blood sugar under control. However, someone in your wife's situation should consider a pancreas transplant, especially if she has frequent "insulin reactions" -- meaning her blood sugar goes very low without her realizing it. A pancreas transplant could fix the problems with her blood sugar control and prevent further injury to her kidneys.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/plus/chi-tms-m-insulin,0,750940.story
ANSWER: Most patients with type 1 diabetes do not require a pancreas transplant, because newer insulin regimens can keep their blood sugar under control. However, someone in your wife's situation should consider a pancreas transplant, especially if she has frequent "insulin reactions" -- meaning her blood sugar goes very low without her realizing it. A pancreas transplant could fix the problems with her blood sugar control and prevent further injury to her kidneys.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/plus/chi-tms-m-insulin,0,750940.story