Diabetes secondary to pancreatic disease
Sometimes called type 3c diabetes, this is a type of diabetes that develops when the pancreas is damaged. The pancreas has two main jobs: producing insulin to control blood glucose and producing enzymes to help digest food.
If the pancreas is damaged, it may stop producing enough insulin, leading to diabetes. It may also stop producing enough digestive enzymes, which can affect how your body breaks down food in the digestive tract.
Causes
Causes of damage to the pancreas include:
- Inflammation of the pancreas (Pancreatitis)
- Pancreatic cancer
- Surgery to remove part of the pancreas
- Cystic fibrosis
- Haemochromatosis (a condition where iron builds up in the body)
Managing pancreatic diabetes
Treatment involves keeping blood glucose levels stable. It is important to know that type 3c diabetes can sometimes be mistaken for Type 2 diabetes. However, because the pancreas is damaged and may not be producing enough insulin, tablets alone are often not enough to control glucose levels. Therefore, many people will require insulin therapy, though some may manage on tablets.
You may also need to take enzyme replacement capsules (Creon) with your meals to help you digest food properly.
Specialist support in Leeds
In Leeds, care for pancreatic diabetes is provided by either the Leeds Community Diabetes Service or the specialist team at Leeds Teaching Hospitals, depending on the complexity of your condition.
