Surgery induced diabetes

[CarolW]

Hello my name is Carol and I have recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes with a hb1a of 50.
I had pancreatic surgery 5 years ago and the diabetes is probably a result of that.
I am currently half way through a Desmond course to improve my understanding of my diagnosis.
I look forward to finding out more on this site.

 

[Inka]

Welcome @CarolW Would that make you a Type 3c? Are you on any medication for the diabetes?

 

[ianf0ster]

Hi @CarolW and welcome to the forum.
Like @Inka above, I can't think of any surgery that could cause Type 2 diabetes 5yrs later. Though surgery that damaged or removes some of the pancreas could cause diabetes, though this would be Type 3C diabetes because it's the pancreas that produces insulin. Wheras Type 2 diabetes is typified by high insulin production due to the body resisting the fat storage effect of insulin.

Type 3C is much more like Type 1 Diabetes than Type 2.

 

[CarolW]

Hi Everyone, Thank you for your replies.
Type2 diabetes is my initial diagnosis from my medical team. My numbers are at a low end of type 2 at present with no mention of type 3c so far. I am not on any medication and currently controlling my diabetes with diet and exercise.
Just getting used to this diagnosis but I will look into type 3c.

 

[SB2015]

Welcome to the forum @CarolW

Like others I have not heard of any type of surgery causing Type 2, but if the beta cells in the pancreas are damaged/removed during surgery this could lead to you not being able to make enough/any insulin. As you are currently managing without any medication and have done so for a few years you must be producing some insulin.

Let us know how you get on and fire away with any questions.

 

[EmmaL76]

It could just be coincidence that you had surgery on your pancreas and have developed true type 2 later down the line. However if you have been told it’s most likely due to your operation then that would almost certainly be type 3c. Just something for you to be aware of and keep a close eye on your numbers going forward xx

 

[CarolW]

Thank you so much for all your replies. Type 3c has never been discussed with me but you may be right Emma I may have developed this anyway as my father had late onset diabetes.
I am watching my numbers closely which appear stable at present.
It has been quite daunting for me as getting over surgery was hard for me and getting this diagnosis later down the line was so disappointing. Thankyou for all your help

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @CarolW

You don’t say what the surgery was that you had on your pancreas, but we have a few members like @eggyg @Proud to be erratic @Hepato-pancreato who have various shades of Type 3c some of which were caused by surgery.

There’s a bit more information here

What is type 3c diabetes?

You may have heard of the more common types of diabetes like type 1, type 2 and gestational. But there are actually many other types of diabetes that aren't as well known. Type 3c diabetes develops because of the damage to the pancreas, which can happen for a few different reasons. And although...

www.diabetes.org.uk

It is a fairly new classification I think, and not all non-specialists are very familiar with it. Good to hear your levels seem to be behaving at the moment. Long may that continue for you!

 

[CarolW]

Thank you so much for the information to look into and have just come back from the Desmond course which I found very helpful also.
I am glad there is such a site that I can turn to. I know it will be very helpful for me. Just getting my head around it all and getting used to my diagnosis at present.