Medications & Complications

Postoperative Complications

Diabetes

Some of the immunosuppressive medications may cause diabetes. Diabetes is an increased level of sugar in the blood.

Symptoms of diabetes may include: increased thirst, increased frequency of urination, blurred vision, and confusion. A patient should notify his transplant team or local physician if he experiences any of these symptoms.

Blood sugar can be reduced through weight loss, careful diet, and exercise. An oral diabetes drug or insulin injections may be necessary.

If a patient develops diabetes, he will receive specialized teaching about how to deal with this problem.



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University of Southern California USC Liver Transplant Program and Center for Liver Disease
1510 San Pablo Street, Suite 200, Los Angeles CA 90033-4612
Phone: (323) 442-5908     Fax: (323) 442-5721
E-mail: uscliver@surgery.hsc.usc.edu