What Is Type 3 Diabetes? What You Need to Know

Here’s what we’ll cover in this blog post:

  • What is type 3 diabetes
  • How diabetes contributes to Alzheimer’s
  • Symptoms of type 3 diabetes
  • How to reduce your risk

Have you heard of type 3 diabetes? 

Diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease are two conditions that impact millions of people worldwide, but some experts have coined the term type 3 diabetes to describe a potential connection between these two horsemen of death

The connection lies between insulin resistance and cognitive decline, which some researchers suspect could cause Alzheimer’s disease. While more research is needed, understanding this relationship could help with early detection and better management of both conditions.

In this post, we’ll explore what Type 3 diabetes is, how it might be connected to Alzheimer’s, and how we can best reduce our risk for both conditions.

What Is Type 3 Diabetes?

Type 3 diabetes is not an official medical diagnosis, but rather a term used by some researchers to describe the hypothesis that Alzheimer’s disease may be caused by insulin resistance and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) dysfunction in the brain. 

The idea is that the brain, like the body, can develop insulin resistance, which could contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

Type 3 diabetes may also describe cases where people with type 2 diabetes develop cognitive decline, dementia, and potentially Alzheimer’s disease. 

Although organizations like the American Diabetes Association (ADA) don’t recognize type 3 diabetes as an official disease, a growing number of researchers suspect that insulin resistance, glucose control, and other conditions associated with diabetes may help explain why some people develop Alzheimer’s.

Types of Diabetes

To understand type 3 diabetes, it’s helpful to first know about the common types of diabetes:

  • Type 1 diabetes: This condition happens when the body’s pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, causing high blood sugar levels.
  • Type 2 diabetes: In this form, organs of the body, primarily the muscle and liver, become resistant to insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels.
  • Gestational diabetes: This type occurs during pregnancy when the body becomes insulin resistant due to the hormonal changes that occur to prepare for child birth.
  • Type 3c diabetes mellitus (T3cDM): This form is sometimes confused with type 3 diabetes—the main difference is that type 3c is a recognized diagnosis linked to conditions that damage the pancreas, such as pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer. It’s important to note that this type is not related to Alzheimer’s.

The Link Between Diabetes and Alzheimer’s

Research suggests a possible connection between diabetes—specifically type 2 diabetes—and Alzheimer’s disease. While the exact mechanism remains unclear, some scientists believe that insulin resistance and impaired sugar metabolism in the brain could be key factors in the development of Alzheimer’s.

For people with diabetes, especially those with undiagnosed or untreated type 2 diabetes, high blood sugar can damage blood vessels, including those in the brain. This damage may lead to chronic inflammation and other changes that affect brain health, potentially driving the progression of Alzheimer’s.

That said, not all cases of Alzheimer’s show a direct link to insulin resistance, and scientists need more research to fully understand the connection.

Causes and Risk Factors for Type 3 Diabetes

Alzheimer’s can really be considered an umbrella term for a set of different conditions that may lead to brain degeneration. Some of these conditions include:

  • Insulin resistance: If your body becomes resistant to insulin, it may affect your brain’s ability to utilize blood sugar for energy
  • High blood sugar levels: Chronic high blood sugar can cause damage to blood vessels and nerves, including those in the brain
  • Genetics: A family history of diabetes or Alzheimer’s could increase your risk
  • Age: Older adults are at higher risk for both diabetes and Alzheimer’s
  • Excess fat: Being overweight or obese is a risk factor for both type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s
  • Heart and metabolic diseases: Diabetes and cardiovascular disease are both risk factors for Alzheimer’s

Symptoms of Type 3 Diabetes

While type 3 diabetes isn’t an official diagnosis, symptoms of insulin resistance in the brain—similar to Alzheimer’s—include:

  • Memory loss
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Chronic brain fog
  • Confusion
  • Personality changes (like impulsivity or depression)
  • Diminished judgment
  • Impaired spatial navigation

If you notice these symptoms, especially if you have a history of diabetes, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider. Early intervention can help prevent further brain damage, improve quality of life, and optimize health outcomes.

Diagnosis of Type 3 Diabetes

There’s no official test for Type 3 diabetes since it’s not a recognized condition. However, doctors can diagnose Alzheimer’s disease through various assessments, including:

  • Cognitive tests to evaluate memory, spatial navigation, attention, and problem-solving skills
  • Blood tests to check for diabetes by evaluating insulin resistance and other conditions that may contribute to cognitive decline, including the presence of neuroinflammatory factors (GFAP) and toxic proteins like amyloid beta and tau
  • Brain imaging such as an fMRI or PET scans to look for signs of Alzheimer’s disease like degeneration of brain regions and issues with blood flow in the brain 

If you have type 2 diabetes and notice memory problems or a combination of any of the other symptoms listed above, it’s essential to have a conversation with your healthcare provider before the symptoms worsen or develop into disease.

Treatment for Type 3 Diabetes

While there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, both lifestyle changes and treatments can help manage the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and diabetes. Here’s a breakdown of the options:

Medications for Alzheimer’s Disease and Diabetes

  • Cholinesterase inhibitors, like Donepezil, can help improve memory, decision making, and emotional health in people with Alzheimer’s
  • Glutamate regulators, like Memantine, may help regulate brain chemicals involved in memory and learning
  • Amyloid beta drugs, like Lecanemab, can target and help clear amyloid beta proteins, which may help improve memory and problem-solving, 
  • Trazodone, which is sometimes prescribed off label for dementia, has been shown to slow the rate of cognitive decline
  • Metformin or Acarbose can help control blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity, which is crucial for preventing or delaying the development of Alzheimer’s

Lifestyle Changes

When to Start Optimizing Your Risk

Both diabetes and Alzheimer’s can start to develop years before the conditions manifest. The decisions we make today can impact our longevity decades into the future—for better or for worse. That means it’s never too late to start optimizing your risk for diabetes and Alzheimer’s.

If you’re concerned you may be at risk, but don’t know where to start, try a longevity consultation with an AgelessRx expert to assess your current risk and see where you can best focus your efforts. This way, you can see whether simple lifestyle changes are sufficient, or if it’s time to start select treatments to optimize your glucose.

For a deeper understanding of your risk, you can also try comprehensive blood tests like the Core Longevity Panel. With clear insights into 11 key biomarkers, including critical heart and diabetes markers, the Core Longevity Panel can help you determine whether you’re at risk, and whether it’s time to start optimizing your health.

Alzheimer’s prevention also requires regular check-ups with your doctor can help you stay on top of both conditions and catch any signs of cognitive decline early.

By staying informed and proactive, you can take control of your health and reduce your risk of developing diabetes and Alzheimer’s, which can help improve your quality of life and extend your healthy lifespan. It’s up to you to decide when you’re ready to take control.


Note: The above statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.