Tag Archives: clinic

Certain people with Type 2 diabetes can now donate a kidney. A Mayo Clinic nephrologist explains – Post Bulletin

Diabetes News


ROCHESTER — A change in federal guidelines for living organ donation opens the door for people with well-controlled Type 2 diabetes to become kidney donors.

“I think this is a very significant shift in the eligibility criteria for living kidney donation in the U.S.,” said Dr. Naim Issa, a transplant nephrologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, the county’s second-largest living organ donor center. “In Europe, actually, diabetes was not completely (a) contraindication to donate a kidney.”

Before the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network updated its policies in 2022, a potential living kidney donor would be disqualified if they were diagnosed with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

“Diabetes, especially if it’s poorly controlled, can lead to complications affecting our vital organs, especially the kidneys, the eyes, the heart,” Issa said. “And diabetes, in fact, is the leading cause of kidney disease in the U.S.”

But now, people with Type 2 diabetes could become kidney donors if they meet certain critera. (Type 1 diabetes is still excluded.)

Through Mayo Clinic, a potential kidney donor would be eligible if they don’t use insulin, are not overweight, don’t have a family history of kidney disease and go through a health assessment. Right now, those donors would also need to be at least 60 years old, Issa said.

“If you’re young with Type 2 diabetes … (you’ll) have another 20, 30 years to live, and we don’t know what will happen to their kidney function and to their vital organs,” Issa said.

Additionally, potential donors between the ages of 60 and 64 would need to not be on any medications for their diabetes. But, at age 65 and older, they can be taking up to two oral medications and still be eligible, according to the Mayo Clinic guidelines.

While Issa said he only expects a “handful” of living kidney donations per year from donors who meet the Type 2 diabetes critera, he said this type of donation can be helpful in certain situations, such as when a person wants to donate a kidney to their spouse.

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Dr. Naim Issa, a transplant nephrologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

Contributed / Mayo Clinic

“If a wife needs a kidney, they don’t have any potential donors, instead of staying on the waiting list for five to seven years,” Issa said, “Let’s say the husband is diabetic, but very well-controlled. (He’s) lean, maybe takes one medication, older than 65 and the diabetes did not affect any of the vital organs, the heart, the kidneys or the eyes.”

The expanded critera for living kidney donation comes at a time when, Issa said, the need for kidney transplants is increasing and the wait time for kidneys from deceased donors can last years for some patients.

“People are getting older, more diabetes and more obesity causing more and more kidney disease in this country — we have more than 90,000 people waiting for a kidney transplant,” Issa said. “This is mainly to address the increasing demand fo rkidneys and provide some people with a better chance for successful transplant and, of course, improve quality of life.”

Deceased donors with diabetes have been able to donate kidneys, Issa said, if their organs weren’t substantially harmed by their diabetes.





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Health officials host diabetes screenings, vaccination clinic at Acrisure Stadium

Diabetes News


PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Healthy players on the field and healthy fans in the stands.

The Steelers teamed up with area health officials to make sure the black-and-gold nation is protected against all illnesses, including diabetes.

As quickly as you can say “Go Steelers,” fans at today’s game can be screened for diabetes.

“It’s simple. It’s a finger stick,” said Nick Vizzoca, president of the Center for Healthcare Solutions. “We check their A1C levels, right on the spot. We give them the information and they’re good to go.”

So, before focusing on T.J. Watt’s return to the turf or Kenny Pickett’s ongoing quest for his first NFL win, the Healthcare Council of Western Pennsylvania is hoping people take a second to focus on their health.

“They feel good, and a lot of people with diabetes do feel good. And don’t realize that they have it,” Vizzoca added.

In Pennsylvania alone, experts estimate about 300,000 people have the disease and don’t even know it.

To show you just how easy screening is, KDKA’s very own Chris DeRose got a quick check-up.

First, the paperwork.

“I feel like I’m about to get my nails done,” said DeRose.

Then the prick.

“That wasn’t too bad.”

Minutes later, the results.

“82 is a really good number! So, you have a low risk for diabetes!”

“That’s awesome!”

“Hopefully, we don’t find anybody with diabetes, but if somebody does, we’ll take the action to make sure they get the care they need,” said Vizzoca.

Giant Eagle pharmacists were also on-hand before the game to administer flu and covid-19 shots.



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Diabetes testing clinic seeks to help at-risk Winnipeggers

Diabetes News



Maples residents were checking up on their health Saturday afternoon at a diabetes testing clinic targeting Winnipeggers of South Asian descent.


The pop-up clinic, operating out of the Maples Community Centre, offered free A1C testing from Dynacare. The test helps determine if you are at risk of type 2 diabetes.


“There’s currently 412,000 Manitobans that are living with or at risk for diabetes … and so we’re here to create awareness in the south Asian and Sikh communities today,” said Kelly Lambkin, Senior Manager of Community Fundraising and Events for Diabetes Canada.


November is diabetes awareness month. Lambkin said some people are more at-risk than others when it comes to developing the disease.


“High-risk populations include our Indigenous populations, our south Asian populations, our African/Caribbean as well,” she said.


Participants at the clinic underwent several tests, including blood pressure and BMI. The process finished with the A1C blood test, which averages your blood glucose over a three month span.


Test results will be mailed out to participants and their primary health care provider. Lambkin said the campaign is already a success.


“This is our fifth year for hosting this campaign. Our goal is to test 50,000 Manitobans, each year we’ve exceeded our goal we plan to do that again this year,” said Lambkin.


“It is so critical to assess your risk for diabetes,” she said. “Diabetes is a progressive disease, so as soon as you identify those risks, it could delay complications in the future.”



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