Type 3c diabetes

Type 3c diabetes (also known as pancreatogenic diabetes) is diabetes that comes secondary to pancreatic diseases,^[1] involving the exocrine and digestive functions of the pancreas. It also occurs following surgical removal of the pancreas.

Type 3c diabetes

Around 5–10% of cases of diabetes in the Western world are related to pancreatic diseases. Chronic pancreatitis is most often the cause.^[1][2]

Presentation

The symptoms of Type 3c diabetes are the same as other forms of diabetes. They include:^{[citation needed]}

• Increased thirst (polydipsia) and dry mouth.
• Frequent urination.
• Fatigue.
• Blurred vision.
• Unexplained weight loss.
• Numbness or tingling in hands or feet.
• Slow-healing sores or cuts.
• Frequent skin and/or vaginal yeast infections.

People with Type 3c diabetes typically also have symptoms of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, which include:^{[citation needed]}

• Abdominal pain, gas and bloating.
• Constipation.
• Diarrhoea.
• Fatty stools (pale, oily, foul-smelling faeces that float).
• Unexplained weight loss.

The same complications that occur for other types of diabetics (type 1 and type 2) may occur for type 3c diabetics. These include retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, and cardiovascular disease. Patients with this condition are advised to follow the same risk-reduction guidelines as the other diabetics do and keep blood sugars as normal as possible to minimize any complications.^{[citation needed]}

Cause

There are multiple causes. Some of which identified are:

• Pancreatic disease
• Pancreatic resection
• Chronic pancreatitis (caused by exocrine insufficiency, maldigestion, and malnutrition).^[3]
• Lacking genes in the E2F group.^[4]
• In 2021, Venturi reported that pancreas is able to absorb in great quantity radioactive cesium (Cs-134 and Cs-137) causing a severe and permanent pancreatitis with damage of pancreatic islands, and causing (type 3c) diabetes (pancreatogenic).^[5]

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Criteria for T3cDM
Major criteria (all must be fulfilled): Presence of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (according to monoclonal fecal elastase-1 or direct function tests). Pathological pancreatic imaging: (by endoscopic ultrasound, MRI, or CT) Absence of T1DM-associated autoimmune markers (autoantibodies).
Minor Criteria:
Impaired β-cell function No excessive insulin resistance (e.g. as measured by HOMA-IR). Impaired incretin (e.g. GIP) or pancreatic polypeptide secretion. Low serum levels of lipid (fat) soluble vitamins (A, D, E, or K).

Management

The condition can be managed by many factors.^{[citation needed]}

Medications

Medications such as insulin may be given in order to lower blood sugars. For not so high blood sugars, oral treatments in the form of a pill or capsule may be given.

Usually, insulin requirements are lower than in type 1 diabetes (SAID).^[6] However, therapeutic challenges may arise from the fact that hypoglycaemia is a common complication, owing to the lack of alpha cells.^[6]

See also

• Diabetes mellitus
• Pancreatitis
• Chronic pancreatitis
• Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
• Cystic fibrosis–related diabetes