If you have type 3c diabetes, you may also have problems digesting your food. Problems with digestion may be caused by the cancer or surgery to remove the cancer. The pancreas makes enzymes which break down your food. If you have pancreatic cancer, your pancreas may not produce enough of these enzymes, or they may be blocked from getting to the part of your bowel where they are needed for digestion.
You can take capsules to replace the enzymes that your pancreas would normally make. This is called pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT), and will help you digest your food.
If you have problems digesting your food, you may have low blood sugar levels. This is because you won’t be able to digest carbohydrate in your food properly or absorb the sugars. Once you start taking the enzymes, your blood sugar level may rise because you will start to digest your food again. This can change how your diabetes needs to be managed, and it may need to be monitored more regularly. If you notice your blood sugar levels have gone up, speak to your diabetes team as they may need to change your medicine. Read more about blood sugar levels.