Transplant Center

Diabetes & Kidney Disease

Diabetes Mellitus is the leading cause of kidney failure and transplant consideration. If you have kidney failure caused by Type I Diabetes (also known as Juvenile Diabetes), you may be a candidate for a kidney and pancreas transplant. If you don't have kidney failure with your diabetes, or your kidney failure is mild, you may qualify for a pancreas-only transplant.

When your kidneys fail to remove waste products from the blood, a condition known as uremia develops. Most people do not develop symptoms of kidney failure (or uremia) until 90 percent of the kidney function is lost. Once this occurs, the work of your kidneys must be done by dialysis. Dialysis is an artificial way of filtering your blood.

A second treatment option for kidney failure is a kidney transplant. Kidney transplantation offers patients one major advantage over dialysis treatment—quality of life. Many patients prefer a transplant because they are able to return to a more normal lifestyle. Learn more about the Kidney Transplant Options, Surgery, and Post-Transplant Care.

Symptoms of kidney disease:
Decreased urine output
Edema or swelling in the legs
Vomiting
Itching  (pruritis)
Fatigue
Weakness
Shortness of breath
Loss of appetite
Halitosis (bad breath)
Anemia (low blood count)

Symptoms of diabetes:
Increased urination
Increased thirst
Weight loss
Constant hunger
Blurred vision
Extreme fatigue

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms it is important to see your doctor. These symptoms can be caused by many other illnesses besides diabetes and/or kidney failure. Your doctor will perform the appropriate tests to determine the cause of your symptoms.

If your doctor feels that you have developed diabetes, he/she will do testing to determine whether you have Type I diabetes (not enough insulin) or Type 2 diabetes (your body is not able to use the insulin that is being made). You may be referred to an endocrinologist, a physician who specializes in diabetes and can provide further diagnosis, treatment and education about being a diabetic.

Complications from diabetes can occur over several years and can include kidney failure, loss of eye sight, numbness of the fingers and feet, heart and vascular disease.

Should you develop kidney failure, you will most likely be referred to a nephrologist, a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney disease. Following an assessment and confirmation of kidney failure, you can be referred to our transplant center for a transplant evaluation. During the evaluation, members of the transplant team will conduct a thorough assessment of the signs and symptoms of your kidney disease, develop a treatment plan and answer any specific questions related to kidney disease, diabetes and/or transplantation.

Some Type I diabetics experience problems with high and low blood sugars. Despite frequent blood sugar checks and insulin adjustments, it can have a negative impact on the quality of your life. Along with the struggles of blood sugar regulation, you may also have other complications. If you fall into this category of patients, you may be considered for a pancreas-only or islet cell transplant.

To learn more about the transplant options available for a Type I diabetic, please click here.