Living with Diabetes

Pancreas Transplantation

Pancreas Transplantation

In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas no longer makes insulin. It seems logical that giving a new pancreas to a person with type 1 diabetes would cure their disease. It usually does.

However, transplantation is major surgery. In addition, patients must take immunosuppressive drugs for life to prevent the immune system from rejecting the new organ. These drugs have side effects. 

The American Diabetes Association recommends that a pancreas transplant be considered for people with type 1 diabetes who are close to or have end stage renal disease (kidney failure) and have had or are going to have a kidney transplant. The person will be taking immunosuppressive drugs for the kidney transplant anyway. If the pancreas transplant is successful, glucose levels will be normal, which may protect the new kidney. The pancreas transplant should be done at the same time or after the kidney transplant.

For more information, see Kidney Replacement Therapy and “Pancreas and Islet Transplantation in Type 1 Diabetes” found on our Position Statements page.