Diabetes and Kidney Transplantation
Date issued: October 2022
Review date: October 2024
Ref: A-504/AS/Renal/Diabetes and Kidney Transplantation
PDF: Diabetes and Kidney Transplantation final October 2022.pdf [pdf] 253KB
What is diabetes?
Our bodies constantly adjust themselves to ensure things stay stable. When we eat a meal, the pancreas produces hormones that work to keep the sugar in the blood at a steady level.
One hormone helps to store sugar when the blood level is high (such as after a meal) and this is called insulin. Another hormone is called glucagon and releases sugar when the level is low (such as when a meal is missed).
In diabetes the pancreas does not work as well as it should, and the body can become resistant to the effects of the hormones. This means sugar levels in the blood start to rise; if they rise above a certain level, we call it diabetes.
What is NODAT?
People who have transplants are at greater risk of developing New-Onset Diabetes After Transplantation, NODAT. This is due to the medications you take following transplantation to stop your body rejecting the new kidney.
The risk of NODAT is higher if you are obese or have a family history of diabetes. Uncontrolled blood sugar levels can cause damage to your blood vessels, heart, eyes, feet, and nerves. A well-balanced diet, exercise and regular blood sugar monitoring are all ways you can help yourself.
We estimate that around 8-14% of people may go on to develop diabetes after their transplant and those who already have diabetes can find their sugars more difficult to control.
Post-transplant diabetes is most likely to be diagnosed in the first few months after the transplant.
We check blood sugar levels at every transplant clinic appointment and if we find an abnormal level you may need to have a further blood test.
Symptoms
Diabetes can cause symptoms such as thirst, increased frequency of passing urine or thrush. Let your transplant nurse or doctor know if you have any of these symptoms or are worried.
If you are diagnosed with diabetes, you will be referred to the dietitian for advice as modifying your diet can reduce your chance of needing medication or reduce the amount of medication you might need to take.
You may also be given tablets or injections (insulin) to control your blood sugars, the choice will depend on your individual circumstances. It is important to control your diabetes to reduce your risk of strokes, circulation problems and heart attacks
Further information
National Kidney Federation: www.kidney.org.uk/diabetes
Diabetes UK: www.diabetes-complications/kidney-transplants.html
Diabetes Southwest UK: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/in_your_area/south_west
