Supporting Patients Who Need Pancreas Transplants
University of Utah Health is a comprehensive, Medicare-approved pancreas transplant program. We take a multidisciplinary approach to your care, offering you access to all the specialists you need:
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Nephrologists (kidney and pancreas doctors)
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Dietitians
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Pharmacists
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Social workers
You also will have a transplant coordinator to help you navigate your care smoothly. Our financial coordinator helps you with insurance and any other payment concerns.
Our entire team supports you with the lifestyle changes and financial considerations associated with a transplant. We work closely with you to get you the right donor match with shorter wait times than national averages.
What Is a Pancreas Transplant?
A pancreas transplant is a procedure to remove your damaged pancreas and replace it with a donor one. A donor pancreas is a healthy organ from someone who is no longer living.
Contact Us
Phone: 801-585-5642
Toll-free: 800-824-2073
Extension: 55642
Fax: 801-585-6373
Who Qualifies for a Pancreas Transplant?
You may qualify for a pancreas transplant if you have diabetes. Most people who qualify for a pancreas transplant have type 1 diabetes. Some people with type 2 diabetes may also qualify for a transplant.
There are other factors for who qualifies for a pancreas transplant:
- You must be under 60.
- Your body mass index (BMI) must be below 30.
Find a Pancreas Transplant Provider
What to Expect at Your First Pancreas Transplant Consult
The pancreas transplant evaluation process starts with a visit to a nephrologist and a transplant surgeon. These doctors will discuss your health history and physically examine you.
You will also meet with other specialists who help evaluate your eligibility for a pancreas transplant, connect you with resources, and discuss what to expect:
- Dietitian
- Financial coordinator
- Pharmacist
- Social worker
- Transplant coordinator
Pancreas & Kidney Tests
You will have several tests to evaluate your pancreas and kidney function and to help us find a compatible donor:
- Abdominal and pelvic CT scan—This test uses special computers and a series of X-rays to create a picture of the inside of your body. Abdominal and pelvic CT scans help us get a closer look at your pancreas and kidneys.
- Histocompatibility test—This blood test analyzes proteins called human leukocyte antigens (HLAs). HLAs help your body tell the difference between your own tissues and substances that aren’t from your body. This test helps us find a donor match with compatible HLAs, which leads to a better transplant outcome.
Heart Tests
Diabetic patients can have significant heart disease without any symptoms. We will need to screen you for heart disease before we you're considered for transplant surgery:
- Chest X-ray—X-rays use safe doses of radiation to create a picture of the inside of your body. A chest X-ray gives us a clear view of the structures in your chest, such as your heart and lungs.
- Echocardiogram—This test uses sound waves to evaluate blood flow through your heart.
- Electrocardiogram—We place electrodes (small patches) on your chest. These electrodes record the electrical signals that make your heart beat.
- Left heart catheterization—We insert a catheter (narrow, flexible tube) through one of your blood vessels and into the left side of your heart. This helps us look closely at your heart’s blood vessels and check how well your heart pumps blood.
Pancreas Transplant Waiting List
You will get a letter from our team when you’ve been approved for the pancreas transplant waiting list. Your wait time for a transplant depends on your test results and the number of donor matches you have. Your transplant team will discuss the results with you so you know how long it may take to get a donor.
You will get a monthly blood test while you wait for a donor. Over time, you can develop proteins (antibodies) that limit who you can get a donor pancreas from. These blood tests check your antibodies to ensure you get the best donor match.
You will see your transplant team at least once a year while you’re on the waitlist. We will take more blood draws and review your health at this visit.
How Long Can You Live With a Pancreas Transplant?
Donor pancreases can function well for decades. You will have regular follow-ups with your nephrologist to monitor your pancreas function.
Pancreas Transplant Success Rate
All transplant programs report their outcomes to ensure they meet national guidelines. Our success rates at U of U Health have always met these national guidelines.
Health Insurance
Health insurance coverage, contracts, and payment may be subject to changes beyond the control of University of Utah Health. The University of Utah Transplant Department will contact your insurance and verify that your insurance is contracted with our facility and providers.
If your insurance is not contracted, we will attempt a single-case-agreement for transplant services to be performed at the University of Utah. Ultimately the patient is responsible for payment related to all services.
Get Evaluated for a Pancreas Transplant
You can refer yourself for a pancreas transplant evaluation or your doctor can refer you. Make a referral online or call 801-581-2634.
