Pancreas transplant tests


You'll need lots of tests to see if you’re able to have a pancreas transplant

Key points

  • The tests determine whether you are well enough to cope with major surgery
  • Blood tests will check your blood group and tissue type so you can be matched with a donor
  • High levels of antibodies in your blood can make it harder to find a suitable pancreas donor
  • Heart, lung, blood vessel and other specialist tests are also needed to check your fitness for major surgery

Tests to see if you are suitable for a pancreas transplant

If your transplant team think that a pancreas transplant is a possible treatment option, you will have lots of tests.

Each transplant centre has their own set of requirements. The team looking after you will provide details of the exact tests that you need.

The information below gives details of some of the tests you are likely to have.

Blood tests

You will need lots of blood tests to check your general health, blood group and tissue type.

Antibody tests

Your doctor will need to check if you have any antibodies in your blood that might make it harder for you to receive a transplant.

Antibodies to tissues that are not your own can be formed if you’ve previously had a blood transfusion, pregnancy or transplant. Once these antibodies form, it is very difficult to remove them. These antibodies increase the risk of some pancreas transplants being rejected. The team looking after you will let you know if you have these antibodies in your blood, and how they might affect a pancreas transplant.

Heart, lung, blood vessel and specialist tests

Your doctor will need to know how healthy your heart and lungs are, and whether you have any cancers or serious infections.

National criteria for selecting patient suitable for a pancreas transplant

All transplant teams in the UK must follow the national criteria for selecting patients suitable for a pancreas.

View the national criteria for selecting pancreas transplant patients (POL185)

More information

Medical terms explained

 

Antibodies

Antibodies are proteins produced by your immune system. They recognise and fight against foreign substances, such as germs (bacteria, viruses) or ‘foreign’ tissue types. Certain antibodies in your blood can make it more likely for your body to reject your transplanted pancreas.

Antigens

These are substances that cause an immune response in the body.

Biopsy

This is when a very small piece of tissue is taken for analysis.

 

View all medical terms

 



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