Can a pancreas transplant get rid of diabetes? And other questions

Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes can both be treated with pancreas transplant. We have a growing pancreas transplant program here at Mayo Clinic Florida. If your diabetes is well controlled, the there is no need for pancreas transplant. If your diabetes is not well controlled, then you should look into pancreas transplant to see if it is an option for you. Please attend the webinar noted above and ask any questions you have to our physicians.

My kid has very hard to manage, brittle type 1. Her docs actually think that even after 27 years of diabetes, her pancreas still occasionally makes insulin. Algorithms don't work since her patterns are so variable. However, with a CGM and pump, she is able to keep her blood sugars in range most of the time- with constant vigilance.

I would suggest that you and your daughter attend the webinar this coming Tuesday at 6 PM to get some additional information about pancreas transplant. You can ask our doctors questions and explain your daughter's current situation and see if pancreas transplant might be an options for her. I'm glad she has pretty good control now with a CGM and pump.

– Managing Diabetes and the Treatment Option of Pancreas Transplant https://connect.mayoclinic.org/event/managing-diabetes-and-the-treatment-option-of-pancreas-transplant/

I do not see transplant as a treatment option for her at all, with the current technologies available. Immune suppressing drugs pose a lot of risks. I was making the point that with current technologies, transplants may be needed less. In the days of urine sticks and sterilizing needles and NPH as primary insulin, it made sense to consider transplants. And for those still struggling due to years of inadequate technologies, in the past, yes, transplants may be a viable option. Hypoglycemic unawareness is less of a problem now, with CGM's. The CGM has replaced the 17 daily fingersticks previously needed.

I will watch the video but I object strenuously to any idea that type 1 has a "cure" from transplant or any of the new research that still requires suppressing the immune system.