Are you aware of Type 3c Diabetes? Let's talk about it simply!

When you think of diabetes, you usually think of either Type 1 or Type 2, right? But did you know, there is another type of diabetes, called Type 3c Diabetes . This is a little different, because it is directly related to damage to our pancreas. Maybe you haven't heard much about this. So let's talk about it today in a simple way that you can understand.

What is Type 3c Diabetes?

Simply put, Type 3c Diabetes occurs when something damages your pancreas, preventing it from producing a hormone called insulin. Think about it, the pancreas is a small but very important organ located in the upper abdomen. It works like a little factory in our body.

The pancreas has two main functions:

1. Exocrine function: This produces enzymes that help us digest the food we eat. Without these enzymes, we cannot digest food properly.

2. Endocrine function: This is where the most important hormones that control our blood sugar levels, namely glucose, are produced, especially insulin and glucagon. Insulin is what helps the sugar in the blood enter the cells and make energy.

Now, if the pancreas is damaged for some reason, the insulin production may not be done properly. That is when Type 3c Diabetes develops. The important thing is that most of the time, when the pancreas is damaged like this, the production of enzymes that help digest food also decreases. Doctors call this condition Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) . That means, a person with Type 3c diabetes may have problems controlling blood sugar, as well as digestive problems.

This type 3c diabetes is called by several other names, which you may have heard from a doctor or somewhere:

• Pancreatogenic or pancreatogenous diabetes mellitus
• Pancreatic diabetes
• Pancreatic diabetes

If this sounds a bit complicated, just remember that you have Type 3c Diabetes.

How common is Type 3c Diabetes?

Researchers estimate that between 1% and 9% of all people with diabetes have type 3c diabetes. This may seem like a large number, but the reason is that many people, and sometimes even doctors, are not aware of type 3c diabetes. As a result, people with this condition are often misdiagnosed as having type 2 diabetes, which is the most common type of diabetes.

What is the difference between type 1, type 2, and type 3c diabetes?

The main difference between these three types of diabetes is the cause of their occurrence. Let's take a look at how:

• Type 1 Diabetes: This is an autoimmune disease . That is, our body's immune system, for some unknown reason, attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. It's like our own army attacking our own vital organs. People with type 1 diabetes have to take insulin for the rest of their lives.

• Type 2 Diabetes: This occurs because either the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or the body's cells do not respond properly to the insulin that is produced (this is called insulin resistance ). People with type 2 diabetes can control the condition with lifestyle changes, oral medications, or insulin.

• Type 3c Diabetes: This is caused by damage to the pancreas. However, this damage is not caused by an autoimmune cause like in type 1. People with type 3c often also lack enzymes that help the pancreas digest food. In this type, the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas can vary. Some people can control their diabetes with oral diabetes medications, while others must take insulin.

Do you understand the difference? The main thing is the reason.

What are the symptoms of Type 3c Diabetes?

The symptoms of type 3c diabetes are similar to those of other types of diabetes. They include:

• Frequent excessive thirst (polydipsia) and dry mouth.
• Frequent urination.
• Tiredness, fatigue.
• Blurred vision.
• Unexplained weight loss.
• Numbness or tingling in the limbs.
• Wounds take time to heal.
• Frequent yeast infections of the skin and/or vagina.

In addition to these symptoms, people with type 3c diabetes also commonly experience the symptoms of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) , which are:

• Stomach pain, bloating, and flatulence.
• Constipation.
• Diarrhea.
• Fatty stools - These are usually pale in color, oily, have a bad odor, and float in water.
• Being thin for no reason.

If you have one or more of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor for advice, as ignoring them can make the condition worse.

What are the causes of Type 3c Diabetes?

Type 3c diabetes occurs when the pancreas is damaged to the point where it can no longer produce insulin. This damage can be caused by a number of underlying conditions or circumstances. There are several main contributing factors:

• Chronic pancreatitis: This is the most common cause.
• Acute pancreatitis: A sudden, severe inflammation of the pancreas.
• Pancreatic cancer.
• Hemochromatosis: A disease in which excess iron accumulates in the body.
• Cystic fibrosis: A genetic disease.
• Surgical removal of the pancreas (Pancreatectomy).

Let's look at each of these reasons in a little more detail.

Chronic pancreatitis

This is the most common cause of Type 3c Diabetes. It accounts for about 79% of all Type 3c diabetes cases. Simply put, it is a condition where the pancreas has been inflamed and injured for a long time. Just as a wound on our body that is constantly being picked at will leave a scar, this ongoing inflammation in the pancreas can cause scar tissue (fibrosis). Over time, this scarring prevents the pancreas from doing its job properly, which is to make enzymes and hormones, especially insulin. Consider that between 25% and 80% of people with chronic pancreatitis can develop Type 3c diabetes.

There are two main types of chronic pancreatitis:

• Acquired pancreatitis: "Acquired" means that it occurs after we are born. It can have several causes. The two most common causes are gallstones and excessive alcohol use. Some people damage their pancreas by eating spicy foods regularly, skipping meals, or drinking too much alcohol. If these things continue, the pancreas can become weak.
• Hereditary pancreatitis: This is caused by genetic mutations. This means that it is inherited from parents. Although these people have these genetic changes at birth, the first symptoms of pancreatitis may appear in adolescence.

Pancreatic cancer

There is a strong link between diabetes and pancreatic cancer (especially a type called pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma). About 50% of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer also have diabetes. Tumors caused by pancreatic cancer can damage the pancreas and lead to Type 3c diabetes. Researchers estimate that about 8% of people with Type 3c diabetes are caused by pancreatic cancer.

Hemochromatosis

This is also called iron overload . This is when our bodies accumulate too much iron. Normally, our intestines absorb only the amount of iron we need from the food we eat. However, in people with hemochromatosis, the body absorbs too much iron and deposits it in organs, especially the heart, liver, and pancreas. When iron accumulates in the pancreas, it can become damaged and lead to Type 3c Diabetes. This is the cause of about 7% of all Type 3c Diabetes cases.

Cystic fibrosis (CF)

This is an inherited disease. It causes sticky, thick mucus to build up in organs like the lungs and pancreas. This mucus can scar and damage the pancreas. The pancreas can then not make enough insulin, leading to Type 3c Diabetes. Sometimes people with cystic fibrosis can develop insulin resistance, similar to type 2 diabetes. This risk is especially high when they are sick, taking steroids, or during pregnancy. More than 35% of adults with cystic fibrosis (CF) have Type 3c diabetes. This is also called CF-related diabetes (CFRD) . Cystic fibrosis is the cause of about 4% of type 3c diabetes patients.

Pancreatectomy (surgical removal of the pancreas)

This is a surgical procedure to remove part or all of the pancreas. This surgery may be performed for a variety of reasons, including pancreatic cancer, pancreatic cysts, or severe chronic pancreatitis.

Type 3c diabetes can develop or disappear when the pancreas is removed. If only part of the pancreas is removed (partial pancreatectomy), some insulin-producing cells remain. Sometimes, these remaining cells can help control blood sugar levels.

But if you have a total pancreatectomy, you will definitely develop diabetes later, unless the surgeon can save some of your insulin-producing cells. Sometimes, surgeons can transplant some of these cells into your liver. This type of surgery is responsible for about 2% of type 3c diabetes cases.

How is Type 3c Diabetes diagnosed?

In fact, it can be a little difficult for doctors to diagnose Type 3c Diabetes. The reason for this is that it is not a very common or well-known type of diabetes. Doctors often mistake it for Type 2 Diabetes, because Type 2 is much more common. However, if you already have a disease related to the pancreas (e.g. chronic pancreatitis), it is a little easier to diagnose Type 3c.

To diagnose Type 3c Diabetes, doctors need to confirm three things:

1. Confirming that you have diabetes.

2. Confirming that your pancreas has been damaged.

3. Confirming the absence of other types of diabetes (especially type 1).

For this, doctors may order the following tests:

• Fasting blood glucose test: In this, you cannot eat or drink anything except water for at least eight hours before the test. A result of 126 mg/dL or higher usually indicates diabetes.
• A1C test: Also called the HbA1C test, this test measures your average blood glucose levels over the past two to three months. A result of 6.5% or higher usually indicates diabetes.
• Imaging tests: Tests such as a CT scan can help the doctor see damage to the pancreas.
• Pancreas blood tests: These tests can check the function of the pancreas. They measure the levels of certain digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas. If the results are abnormal, it can help confirm pancreatic damage.
• Diabetes autoantibody panel: This is a blood test. It checks for the presence of autoantibodies that cause Type 1 Diabetes. Your doctor may order this test to confirm that you do not have Type 1 Diabetes.

How is Type 3c Diabetes treated?

The treatment for Type 3c Diabetes depends on the underlying condition that caused it and how much damage has been done to the pancreas (or how much has been surgically removed).

People with this condition usually take oral diabetes medications (e.g. metformin) and/or synthetic insulin (either by injection or with an insulin pump).

As your pancreas becomes more damaged, your treatment may change over time. For example, you may initially be able to control your blood sugar levels with oral medication. But as the amount of insulin your pancreas produces gradually decreases, you may eventually need to take insulin to control your blood sugar levels.

There are other ways to manage Type 3c Diabetes:

• Blood sugar monitoring: Regularly checking your blood sugar (glucose) levels is important to know how well your current treatment plan is working. This gives you information every day – sometimes even every hour – to help you manage your type 3c diabetes. You can check your blood sugar regularly with a glucose meter, or you can use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) . Together, you and your doctor will decide what blood sugar level is best for you.
• Diet: Planning meals and choosing a healthy diet that suits you is a very important part of diabetes management. Because what you eat has a big impact on your blood sugar levels. A registered dietitian can help you create the best meal plan.
• Exercise: Physical activity increases insulin sensitivity (and helps reduce insulin resistance), so exercise is an important part of proper management for everyone with diabetes.

Diabetes is a complex condition. So it takes many different approaches to manage it. Also, diabetes affects everyone differently. So, management plans vary greatly from person to person. You will benefit greatly from meeting with your medical team regularly to see how well your treatment plan is working.

What is the future of Type 3c Diabetes? (Prognosis)

The outlook for Type 3c Diabetes depends on several factors:

• The underlying medical condition that caused it.
• How well you manage your type 3c diabetes over time and your access to diabetes care.
• How well the underlying condition is managed.
• Your age/how long you had diabetes when you were diagnosed.
• Whether you have other health conditions.
• Whether you will develop diabetes complications.

High blood sugar levels over a long period of time can lead to serious complications, many of which are irreversible. Several studies have shown that untreated, long-term high blood sugar levels shorten life expectancy and worsen quality of life .

However, it's important to know that you can live a healthy life with diabetes. The following are key to a better future:

• Lifestyle changes.
• Regular exercise.
• Changes in diet.
• Frequent monitoring of blood sugar levels.

What are the complications of Type 3c Diabetes?

If blood glucose levels remain high for a long time, it can damage your body's tissues and organs. This is mainly due to damage to the blood vessels and nerves that support your body's tissues.

Cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) problems are the most common long-term complication of diabetes. They include:

• Coronary artery disease (CAD).
• Heart attack.
• Stroke.
• Atherosclerosis.

Other diabetes complications include:

• Nerve damage (Neuropathy).
• Kidney disease (Nephropathy).
• Retinopathy.
• Diabetes-related foot conditions.

Can I prevent Type 3c Diabetes?

The only way to prevent Type 3c Diabetes is to try to prevent the underlying conditions that cause it, if possible. Inherited conditions like cystic fibrosis and hereditary pancreatitis cannot be prevented. However, there are steps you can take to prevent acquired pancreatitis. For example, limiting alcohol intake and maintaining healthy triglyceride levels.

When should I see my doctor about Type 3c Diabetes?

If you have a condition that affects the pancreas, such as chronic pancreatitis or hemochromatosis, talk to your doctor about your risk of developing Type 3c Diabetes. He or she will likely recommend regular screening for diabetes.

If you have Type 3c Diabetes, you will need to see your medical team regularly to manage both your diabetes and the underlying medical condition that caused it.

Finding out that you have diabetes due to pancreatic disease can be a source of sadness and frustration. Managing type 3c diabetes requires constant care and attention. Although it may seem overwhelming at first, over time you will gain a better understanding of managing the condition and begin to feel better about your body.

Be sure to see your medical team regularly. Managing Type 3c Diabetes – and the underlying condition that caused it – is a team effort. You need medical professionals, friends, and family on your side. Don’t be afraid to ask them for help if you need it.

Finally, remember this (Take-Home Message)

Type 3c Diabetes is a less common type of diabetes that is caused by damage to the pancreas. It can be caused by conditions such as chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, and cystic fibrosis .

The symptoms are similar to other types of diabetes, but digestive problems (e.g., oily stools, stomach pain) may also occur.

Diagnosis can be a bit complicated, as it is often mistaken for Type 2 Diabetes.

Treatment methods vary from person to person and include medication, insulin, lifestyle changes, and treating the underlying cause.

If you have a problem with your pancreas, or are showing symptoms of diabetes, it is important to seek medical advice as soon as possible. The earlier it is detected, the better it can be managed. Don't worry, with proper management and support, you can live a good life with this condition.

` Diabetes, Type 3c Diabetes, Pancreatitis, Insulin, Blood Sugar, Pancreatitis, Cystic Fibrosis