Type 3c diabetes, also known as pancreatogenic diabetes, is a form of diabetes that develops as a result of damage to the pancreas. This damage can come from pancreatic diseases such as chronic pancreatitis, acute pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis, hemochromatosis, or surgical removal of part or all of the pancreas. It results in the pancreas not producing enough insulin, the hormone needed to regulate blood glucose, and often also affects the pancreas's ability to produce digestive enzymes.
People with type 3c diabetes experience typical diabetes symptoms like increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision, unexplained weight loss, and numbness or tingling in extremities. Additionally, they may have symptoms related to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency such as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and fatty stools due to the lack of digestive enzymes.
Management of type 3c diabetes depends on the extent of pancreatic damage. Some patients may manage their blood sugar with oral medications, while many require insulin therapy. Treatment also often includes pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy to aid digestion, and diet and lifestyle adjustments are important. Because it shares many features with types 1 and 2 diabetes but has a different cause, accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment are essential.
In summary, type 3c diabetes is diabetes secondary to pancreatic disease or injury, involving both endocrine (insulin production) and exocrine (digestive enzyme production) dysfunction of the pancreas.
