If you were type 1, you would require insulin for survival. For type 2 insulin is required to help lower the numbers. Each bout of pancreatitis may be affecting the insulin-producing cells a bit more, resulting in a reduced ability of the body to produce sufficient insulin to keep the levels in a better range. At this time, your physician is probably trying to see if you stabilize at a certain level and perhaps begin to lower on your own as your cells possibly start producing more insulin again. The C peptide test can give an indication of how much insulin your cells are producing.