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Can people with 3c control their levels ok

markb40

Active Member
Messages
33
Location
Cambridgeshire UK
Type of diabetes
Type 3c
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I was wondering do people with 3c diabetes control glucose levels the same as type 2.

The reason I ask is I was diagnosed with type 2 after severe pancreatitis and losing half of it to necrosis and the problem I have is my levels are linked more to pancreatic pain than sugar. For example I often test and some days I can eat anything I want with no impact on sugar levels then other days I can eat very low carb and get readings of 11-13. I tend to get the higher readings when I have more pancreatic pain.

So I'm really struggling to control the HBA1c levels, testing doesn't really help as I can test the same food 20 times and get massively different readings.

I just wondered has anyone else experienced similir, the GP is just fixated with type 2.

Thanks for any info
 
I think you'd better be off with an endocrinologist. GP's in general have limited knowledge of T2, less knowledge of T1 and close to no knowledge of other types.
 
Unfortunately most diabetes is type 2 so lots of folk assume that all DM folk have T2DM.
In type 3c pancreatic diabetes, the pancreas is so damaged that there are not enough beta cells left to make enough insulin, so the person looks a lot like a Type 1 diabetic person. I was always taught that T3c needed insulin, but in practice I have found a few patients who did OK on tablets. I guess that if the pancreas is only partly damaged and the person has insulin resistance, then they might behave like a T2DM person
So, it hinges on whether the person is making insulin, so a C-peptide test to check this would be handy.
Also, if you have had significant pancreatitis, you might not be absoprbing food very well; classically, this shows as diarrhoea which is pale, difficult to flush, greasy and smelly; one can check by a faecal elastase test and treat with creon capsules if needed.
I cannot explain why the pain makes the glucose levels go up, but glucose elvels going up can make pain worse
So, as above, seeing a specialist might be really helpful
Best wishes
 
I had the Head of my Pancreas removed in 2009 and, according to a CT scan, have no Pancreas left now. I never know what my Blood Sugar levels are going to be so I have to monitor very often.
 
I have type 3C. Unfortunately, I have found that my blood sugar levels are very brittle and I need to test a lot. I benefitted immensely from going on a B.E.R.T.I.E course run by my local hospital. See if you can get referred as it will help you take control.
 

hi
please can you let me know what a bertie course is?
 
The lack of expertise within the medical profession, and lack of education for the person with type 1 and type 3 diabetes is a disgrace.
I became insulin reliant after having my pancreas removed. It took almost a year of constantly asking to go on a DAPHNE course before I finally was able to attend the course.
Initially I was told that there wasn’t one. Then the diabetes nurse attached to my GP practice told me that she could teach me everything I needed to know. She went on long leave shortly afterwards, and we never had the conversation. I was then told that I would have to wait a year before there was a place for me. I suffered anxiety attacks. Woke up throughout the night hourly to test my blood as my diabetes was so brittle.
Eventually I attended the course which lasted for five days, and life started to look up. I now wear a pump, and sensor, and am monitored regularly. I am also under a consultant, and am able to contact the team if I have any problems.
I am a fighter, and able to articulate my needs. What about all the people who can’t?
 
I'm a T2, my cat's a T3c. If I simply put him on my low carb diet, he'd kick the bucket in a hurry, as he doesn't make any insulin at all anymore after pancreatitis. (Plus, the protein would cause him bladder crystals, so if the diabetes didn't kill him, a blocked bladder would. And hs kidneys aren't happy of protein either. Just in case a member suggest putting him on low carb again. ). T2's something entirely different from T3c, -actually has more in common with T1!- is what I'm trying to say. You do need to see a specialist, not the GP... You need to know how much insulin you're still making, if any. And possibly learn how to use insulin. In any case, control can be achieved, but you need the right assistance and medication in getting there. The GP doesn't sound equipped to do that for you.
 

Hi Mate

I was diagnosed as only having the head of my pancreas due to necrosis and I was taken on by diabetes specialist at Leeds St James Hospital and he told me that when I was diagnosed as type 2 ten years ago was absolutely wrong I could never be type 2.
He put me on insulin and since then I have managed to keep my average blood to 7 for the last 6 months and he is very happy lol.
I am also under specialist for pancreas who prescribed creon which is working ok.
I do find that I have to monitor blood closely because depending on what I eat and how fast it absorbs into body I have to adjust insulin as required.
I bought my own Freestyle Libre blood monitor which is a god send I can test my blood 20 per day and no finger pain.
It sounds like your pancreas is struggling to produce enough insulin every day that’s why some days are easier than others.
I didn’t want to go on insulin but my specialist Dr Debansky assured my I would be a lot better on insulin and he was right I feel a lot better in my self and blood levels are easier to control.
Good luck to you it isn’t easy at all.
 


Hi have had Pancreatic Diabetes for 6 years and at first I did find my sugar levels and HBA1c levels very hard to control. However, after a lot of hard work and concentration I have learned to control quite well but it does impact on my lifestyle at times. There are times when it all goes out of the window and I just have to accept Diabetes always changes and try to get on with things. Good luck
 

Hi, after seeing the GP recently she agreed that it's not type 2 and insulin will be the way to go, although at the moment she wants me to stay off it as long as I can which wont be to long as it gets worse each month but she seems to see every month as a bonus lol.

Glad you're getting on with the insulin, I must say I'm not looking forward to it.
 
I inject one large dose of insulin every morning and it seems to do the job.
My pancreas has atrophied so produces nothing
 
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