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.

Blood group

Infections and general health

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.

How do high levels of antibodies affect pancreas transplants?

High levels of antibodies in your blood make it harder to find a suitable pancreas donor. For patients waiting for a pancreas from a deceased donor, this is likely to mean a longer wait for a transplant.

The National Pancreas Offering Scheme prioritises patients with very high levels of antibodies in their blood in order to reduce this wait as much as possible.

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.

Heart tests

Lung tests

Scans

Specialist tests

If problems are picked up on any of the tests, you might need to be seen by other doctors. Sometimes these tests find major medical problems that mean a pancreas transplant is not possible.

Sometimes psychological tests are needed. This might happen if you’ve had problems in the past remembering to take insulin or tablets or forgetting to come for any dialysis sessions. Your doctor needs to check that you will be able to remember to take immunosuppressants after your transplant.