Pre Diabetic Before Whipple Operation And After

Kiggy

Active Member
Messages
29
I was diagnosed as pre diabetic 4 years before I had the Whipple operation, to remove 1/3rd of my pancreas (head). After the operation, I was still pre diabetic, for 18 months, but have now received the diabetic label. The Dr says as I was pre diabetic both before and after the operation I am not type 3c even though I have had an operation. What do the forum think?
 

Ledzeptt

Well-Known Member
Messages
591
Type of diabetes
Type 3c
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Liquorice and aniseed (especially the tracer I have to drink in hospital before a CT scan - yuk!)
Hi @Kiggy

I’ve not had the Whipple surgery myself and I’m no expert. Your doctor will have advised that you don’t have type 3c diabetes based on blood tests so presumably your remaining pancreas is still making insulin i.e. I presume you don’t need to inject.

It sounds like you remain pre-diabetic (and won’t necessarily progress to having type 2 if you control this), which is a good place to be in despite the major surgery.

I wish you a speedy recovery.
 

PenguinMum

Expert
Messages
6,782
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
In 2012 had a distal pancretectomy and had similar amount of tail of my pancreas removed. This wasnt due to pancreatitis but because of a large mucinus cystic neoplasm. In Dec 2017 I was diagnosed with T2 diabetes HBa1c 53 BMI 29. I adopted LCHF way of life and my current Hba1c is 37 BMI 26. I have been asking my DN and GP how I can be sure my problem is insulin resistance (T2) rather than depleted insulin without any answers. It was only a couple of months ago when I asked my gastro consultant this that he agreed to refer me to endocrinologist. Got seen quickly and was told I only had 50% pancreas functionality because of my surgery and despite my careful control I will end up on insulin as soon as my HBa1c goes back to diabetic levels, ie 48 or more.
I asked if that made me T3c now and he said not with a current 37 it doesnt. I am going to do all that I can foodwise to remain under 48 for as long as I can but dont know how long that might be. I assume they will do a c-peptide test then.
Thats my story but I would recommend you get a referral to an endocrinologist. Getting that referral might be easier consultant to consultant if you still see your pancreas specialist.