Type 2 diabetes remission

For some people living with type 2 diabetes, remission is possible — meaning blood glucose levels return to a non-diabetic range and stay there without needing glucose-lowering medication. It's not guaranteed, and it's not the right goal for everyone, but if it's something you're curious about, we can help you understand whether it might be realistic for you, and what working toward it would actually involve.

What remission means (and is it a cure?)

Current medical consensus defines remission as an HbA1c (your average blood glucose) below 6.5% for at least three months, without taking any glucose-lowering medication. It's specific to type 2 diabetes — remission in this sense isn't applicable to type 1 diabetes, since that's an autoimmune condition rather than one driven primarily by insulin resistance.

Remission isn't the same as being "cured." Diabetes can return, so ongoing monitoring matters even once you're in remission — regular check-ins, blood tests, and the same screening for eye, kidney, and foot health that's part of good diabetes care generally.

Is remission right for you?

Remission is achievable for some people, particularly earlier after diagnosis and often alongside significant, sustained changes to weight and lifestyle — but it isn't realistic or appropriate for everyone. If remission isn’t appropriate for you, or you aren’t able to successfully achieve remission, it’s important to know that it’s not usually a reflection of anything you have or haven't done. Diabetes is influenced by a lot of factors outside your control, including genetics and how long you've been living with it.

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How we can help

If remission isn't the right goal for you, that doesn't mean good management, good outcomes, and living well with diabetes are out of reach — they're not. We'll help you understand what's realistic for your specific situation, without judgement either way. Our team is here to provide you with honest, open information, and work with you and your health care team to support you in achieving the best outcomes possible. This can include:

  • Understanding whether remission is a realistic goal for your circumstances

  • Building a plan that's genuinely sustainable for your life, not a short-term fix

  • Ongoing monitoring and support, whether or not remission is achieved

  • Support maintaining remission long-term, if you get there — including staying alert to changes

  • Working alongside your GP and wider healthcare team throughout

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