Beyond Type 1 and Type 2, What is Type 3c Diabetes?
- Herbal Origins
- Sep 16
- 5 min read
Diabetes is a condition where the body has trouble keeping blood sugar (glucose) at the right level, because of problems with insulin, a hormone made by an organ called the pancreas. The pancreas does two big jobs:
The endocrine job: making hormones like insulin (that regulate blood sugar) and glucagon.
The exocrine job: making enzymes that help break down food in your gut, so you can absorb nutrients.
Type 3c diabetes (sometimes called pancreatic diabetes) happens when the pancreas is damaged in a way that affects both of those jobs - the insulin-production and the enzyme/food digestion part.
So in Type 3c:
The pancreas doesn't make enough insulin (or sometimes doesn't supply it well), thus blood sugar goes up.
Also, it may not make enough digestive enzymes making it difficult to digest food and absorb nutrients
What Causes It?
Type 3c happens when something harms the pancreas. Some causes are:
Chronic pancreatitis: long term inflammation (swelling, irritation) of the pancreas which leads to scarring.
Acute pancreatitis: a sudden, severe inflammation. Over time it can contribute to causing Type 3c Diabetes.
Cystic fibrosis: a genetic condition (one you inherit) that causes thick mucus in various organs, including the pancreas, which damages it.
Hemochromatosis: when too much iron builds up in your body/organs, including the pancreas.
Pancreatic cancer: tumors can damage the pancreatic tissue.
Pancreatectomy: surgery to remove part or all of the pancreas. If it's removed (totally or partially), the ability to make insulin or enzymes can drop.
What are the Signs and Symptoms?
Some signs of Type 3c are very much like other diabetes types, such as:
Feeling very thirsty
Excessive urination
Fatigue
Blurry vision
Unexplained weight loss
Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
Cuts or sores that are slow to heal
Because part of the pancreas' enzyme-job is damaged too, there are also symptoms of digestive trouble, like:
Belly pain, gas, bloating
Constipation or diarrhea
Fatty, pale, foul-smelling stool that sometimes floats
Unexplained weight loss (from not absorbing food well)
How Is Type 3c Diabetes Diagnosed?
It's a bit harder to diagnose than Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, because many people and even doctors don't know as much about Type 3c, and it can look like Type 2.
Here are usual tests and clues:
Blood tests to check fasting blood sugar (after you haven't eaten for several hours) and A1C (which gives an average of blood sugar). These should be tested over a couple of months to get a better idea of what's going on.
Tests to see if there is damage to the pancreas: imaging (like CT scan) to look at its structure.
Tests of enzyme levels (seeing if the enzyme/digestive function is low).
Blood tests to rule out Type 1 diabetes: these check for autoantibodies (which are part of Type 1). If those are negative, it makes Type 3c more likely.
How Is It Treated and Managed?
Because Type 3c affects both insulin and digestion, the treatment involves taking care of both parts. Here are the main approaches:
Medications: Sometimes oral medicines (pills) like metformin are used; sometimes insulin injections (or insulin pumps) are needed, depending on how much insulin the pancreas can still make.
Digestive enzyme replacement: Since digestive enzymes can be low, people may need to take enzyme supplements, so their body can break down food properly. (This helps reduce digestive symptoms and helps you get nutrients from your food.)
Holistic Approaches to Treatment and Management
While keeping in mind that this condition usually requires medical care, like insulin or enzyme replacement, holistic approaches can be excellent complements to conventional treatment- supporting digestion, blood sugar balance, and overall wellness.
Nutrition and Digestive Support: Since Type 3c affects both insulin and enzymes, digestion is a big deal.
Whole foods first: focus on unprocessed foods, fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and health fats.
Easy-to-digest meals: soups, stews, smoothies, and steamed veggies are often gentler on the digestive system.
Enzyme-supporting foods: pineapple (bromelain), papaya (papain), kiwi, and fermented foods (saurkraut, kimchi, kefir) may help digestion naturally.
Mindful eating: chewing slowly, eating smaller portions, and avoiding heavy, greasy meals reduce stress on the pancreas.
Herbal and Plant-Based Support (with naturopathic or herbalist guidance): Some herbs and plants may support blood sugar regulation and digestion:
Bitter melon: studied for its blood sugar-lowering potential.
Cinnamon & fenugreek: helps to improve insulin sensitivity.
Milk thistle & dandelion root: supports liver and pancreas function.
Ginger & peppermint: soothe digestive discomfort like bloating and nausea.
Gut Health and Microbiome Balance: Because digestion is often weakened in Type 3c:
Probiotics: from yogurt, kefir, or supplements to support gut flora.
Prebiotics: foods like garlic, onions, asparagus, and oats feed good gut bacteria.
Hydration: water and herbal teas (chamomile, peppermint, nettle) help digestion and blood sugar stability. **Add a pinch of celtic sea salt and lime to the water for a refreshing electrolyte enhancement.
Lifestyle and Stress Management: Stress raises blood sugar levels and makes digestion harder.
Gentle movement: walking, yoga, tai chi, and swimming help keep blood sugar steady.
Stress relief: meditation, journaling, crafting, or deep breathing calm the nervous system and support hormone balance.
Sleep habits: aim for 7-9 hours; poor sleep affects insulin and digestion.
Limit alcohol: alcohol heavily stresses the pancreas and can worsen inflammation.
Quit smoking: reduces risk of pancreatic and digestive damage.
Reduce processed sugar and refined carbs: these spike blood sugar and can increase pancreas workload.
Outlook and Why It Matters
The outlook depends a lot on how bad the damage is, what caused it, how early it's caught, and how well someone follows the treatment plan.
If blood sugar is left high for a long time, complications such as damage to the blood vessels, nerves, vision, kidneys, or heart can occur.
With the right care, people with Type 3c can live healthy lives, though it often means continuing to work closely with your provider, regular monitoring, and paying attention to what you eat and your overall health.
Can Type 3c Diabetes Be Prevented?
Some causes are not preventable, like inherited diseases or genetic predisposition, but others are more under your control. To help lower the risk:
Avoid behaviors that harm the pancreas, like heavy alcohol use.
Keep levels of fats, such as triglycerides, in your blood healthy.
If you have other health issues that could affect the pancreas, it's important to manage these issues, as well.
In Summary
Type 3c diabetes is a form of diabetes caused by damage to the pancreas, which reduces insulin and enzyme production. This not only affects blood sugar levels but also digestion. It has similar symptoms to other types of diabetes but also signs like digestive problems. Diagnosing it takes special tests and managing it usually includes insulin or other diabetes medications, enzyme supplements, diet/lifestyle accommodations, and treating the root cause of the damage to your pancreas. Holistic management for Type 3c diabetes means supporting digestion, blood sugar, and root cause, along with overall lifestyle. These practices work best alongside medical treatment, such as insulin or enzyme replacement, rather than instead of it. This is a serious condition but with good care and a solid plan, many people live healthy and active lives.
If you or a loved one is has been diagnosed with Type 2 or Type 3c Diabetes, a holistic approach to whole person care would support best outcomes. Herbal Origins offers 12-week programs for Diabetes Management. While our Type 2 program focus on reversal, our Type 3c support focus on management and reducing risks of complications and progression. Click here to learn more about our program and register today.
