Well, I knew about Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes. I am familiar with gestational diabetes. And then there is LADA which is Latent autoimmune diabetes of adults and is a form of Type 1 diabetes that occurs in adults, but has a slower course of onset than the type 1 diabetes in children.
What is this Type 3C diabetes? Is it something that you should be aware of and be talking with about with your doctor or health care provider?
Type 3C diabetes is caused by damage to the pancreas. This damage can be from inflammation of the pancreas or pancreatitis, tumors of the pancreas, or from pancreatic surgery.
This damage to the pancreas can cause problems with the pancreas' ability to produce insulin but it can also impair the ability to produce the enzymes that are needed to digest food as well.
Most people who have type 3C diabetes have been wrongly diagnosed as having type 2 diabetes.
It has been found that most people who have type 3C diabetes need insulin and also need to take digestive enzymes to replace the ones that are no longer produced by the body.
Things to know about type 3C diabetes
the onset of type 3C diabetes can happen a long time after a person has had pancreatic injury
General glucose targets are to have the A1C < 7% but to avoid hypoglycemia
A dietitian can assist with help in meal planning to aid with glucose control and optimize nutrition
Type 3C diabetes is not a new kind of diabetes, but instead it is one that has been underdiagnosed. What could mean is that you may have had problems with controlling your glucose levels.
Talk to your doctor if you think you have type 3C and need changes in your plan.
Wishing you Best Health.
Juanita