Pancreatic Diabetes

 

Pancreatic diabetes, also known as pancreatogenic diabetes or Type 3c diabetes, develops when damage or disease of the pancreas affects its ability to produce hormones such as insulin and to perform its digestive functions. It is different from the more common forms of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and can sometimes be mistaken for Type 2 diabetes.

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Dr. Divya's approach to pancreatic diabetes focuses on understanding the underlying pancreatic condition, assessing blood glucose patterns, addressing nutritional and digestive concerns, and developing an individualized diabetes management plan.

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What Is Pancreatic Diabetes?

The pancreas has two important roles:

• Endocrine function: Producing hormones such as insulin and glucagon that regulate blood glucose.

• Exocrine function: Producing digestive enzymes that help the body digest food.

When pancreatic disease or damage affects these functions, blood glucose regulation can become impaired, leading to pancreatic diabetes.

The condition may occur following acute or chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic surgery, pancreatic cancer, pancreatic trauma and certain other pancreatic disorders.

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What Causes Pancreatic Diabetes?

Some important causes include:

• ​​Chronic pancreatitis

• Acute pancreatitis

• Pancreatic surgery

• Pancreatic cancer

• Other pancreatic conditions

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Symptoms of Pancreatic Diabetes

Symptoms can vary depending on both the blood glucose level and the underlying pancreatic disease.

Possible symptoms include:

• Increased thirst

• Frequent urination

• Unexplained weight loss

• Fatigue

• Blurred vision

• Increased hunger

• Fluctuating blood glucose levels

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When pancreatic exocrine function is also affected, a person may experience digestive symptoms such as:

• Bloating

• Abdominal discomfort

• Diarrhea

• Greasy or difficult-to-flush stools

• Nutritional deficiencies

• Unintentional weight loss

Not everyone with pancreatic diabetes experiences all of these symptoms.

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How Is Pancreatic Diabetes Diagnosed?

Diagnosis involves more than simply finding an elevated blood glucose level.

A doctor may consider:

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Blood glucose testing

Tests can include:

• Fasting plasma glucose

• HbA1c

• Oral glucose tolerance testing when appropriate

• Other glucose measurements based on the clinical situation

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Medical history

Your doctor may ask about:

• Previous pancreatitis

• Chronic pancreatic disease

• Pancreatic surgery

• Pancreatic cancer

• Digestive symptoms

• Unexplained weight loss

• Previous diabetes diagnosis

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Pancreatic evaluation

Depending on the situation, pancreatic imaging such as CT, MRI or endoscopic ultrasound may help identify structural pancreatic disease. Assessment for pancreatic exocrine insufficiency may also be appropriate, including testing such as fecal elastase.

 

​Pancreatic Diabetes Management

Pancreatic diabetes requires an individualized approach because treatment needs to address both glucose control and the underlying pancreatic condition.

1. Blood Glucose Monitoring

2. Nutrition and Digestive Health

3. Insulin Therapy

4. Medication Selection

Medication decisions should therefore be made on an individual basis by the treating physician.

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