Why does splenectomy cause diabetes?

Background: Increasing evidence suggests that the spleen harbors stem cells that act as precursors to insulin-producing pancreas cells. Additionally, small studies with short-term follow-up associate splenectomy with increased rates of diabetes mellitus.

Does splenectomy affect A1C?

After a splenectomy: One purpose of your spleen is to remove old and damaged red blood cells from your bloodstream as you make new red blood cells. But if you had part or all of your spleen removed in a splenectomy, those old blood cells — including the ones with hemoglobin A1C — will sit around for longer.

Which organ is responsible for diabetes mellitus?

An organ in your body called the pancreas produces insulin, a hormone that controls the levels of your blood sugar. When you have too little insulin in your body, or when insulin doesn’t work right in your body, you can have diabetes, the condition where you have abnormally high glucose or sugar levels in your blood.

What effect does not having a spleen?

If the spleen does not work properly, it may start to remove healthy blood cells. This can lead to: anaemia, from a reduced number of red blood cells. an increased risk of infection, from a reduced number of white blood cells.

Why splenectomy is done?

It helps fight infection and filters unneeded material, such as old or damaged blood cells, from your blood. The most common reason for splenectomy is to treat a ruptured spleen, which is often caused by an abdominal injury.

Which part of the body produces insulin?

The pancreas is a long, flat gland in your belly that helps your body digest food. It also makes insulin. Insulin is like a key that opens the doors to the cells of the body. It lets the glucose in.

How is fructosamine converted to A1C?

HbA1c and fructosamine are highly correlated. The relationship between the fructosamine level and the HbA1c level can be present as a linear regression analysis, as follows: HbA1c = 0.017 X fructosamine level (µmol/L) + 1.61.

Why does pancreas stop making insulin?

Without insulin, the cells cannot get enough energy from food. This form of diabetes results from the body’s immune system attacking the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. The beta cells become damaged and, over time, the pancreas stops producing enough insulin to meet the body’s needs.

How does diabetes mellitus occur?

Diabetes happens when your body isn’t able to take up sugar (glucose) into its cells and use it for energy. This results in a build up of extra sugar in your bloodstream.

What are the complications of splenectomy?

Splenectomy Complications

• Blood clot in the vein that carries blood to the liver.
• Hernia at the incision site.
• Infection at the incision site.
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
• Lung collapse.
• Injury to the pancreas, stomach, and colon.

Can splenectomy patients have Covid vaccine?

COVID-19 vaccines are not contraindicated and should be encouraged for patients who have had a splenectomy or who have functional asplenia, including those who have had COVID-19 infection.