Diabetes guide
Can diabetes be cured?
Understand type 1, type 2, and what remission means.
Fight Diabetes For Good editorial desk · Last reviewed:
Start with the type of diabetes
There is currently no general cure for diabetes. The word covers several conditions, and the next step depends on the type. If your paperwork says only “diabetes,” ask your care team to write down the type they are treating and why. That answer helps explain your prescriptions, what you need to monitor, and what changes are realistic to discuss.
With type 1 diabetes, the body makes little or no insulin. People with type 1 need insulin every day. A change in readings, a new way of eating, or a brief period when insulin needs fall is a reason to review your plan with your team. Keep using insulin according to that plan. If you are having trouble getting insulin or supplies, call your clinic or pharmacy for help before you run out.
With type 2 diabetes, the body has trouble using insulin effectively. Some people manage it with changes to food and activity, and many also need medication. A plan can change over time. If your treatment includes insulin, ask your prescriber to explain when and how to get in touch about readings outside your usual range.
What type 2 remission means
Some people with type 2 diabetes reach remission. A widely used expert definition looks for an A1C below 6.5% measured at least three months after stopping glucose-lowering medication. This is a way for clinicians to describe a sustained change. The definition does not give you a reason to stop medication on your own. Ask your prescriber what each medicine is for and what the benefits and risks of a change would be.
A reading from a home glucose meter tells you about that moment. An A1C reflects your average blood glucose over roughly three months. If you see one unexpectedly low reading or a better A1C on a new treatment, bring it to your team. Ask what the result means in context and what would be needed to assess a sustained change. See our A1C guide for questions to take to that visit.
Make a plan for the next appointment
Write down your latest A1C and the date. Add a list of medicines, including insulin and any supplements, and note which ones you have trouble taking. Cost, refills, side effects, work shifts, and a confusing label are all worth bringing up. If you check your glucose at home, take the report or a few typical days of readings and notes. Your team can use the pattern to discuss what is working and where you need help.
- Ask what your glucose and A1C goals are and when you will review them.
- Ask whether remission is a realistic goal in your situation and how your team would assess it.
- Ask what symptoms or readings should prompt a call and what number to use after hours.
- Ask how to get diabetes education, nutrition support, or help with medication costs.
Pick one question you most want answered and put it at the top of the page. At the end of the visit, read back the plan in your own words. It can help to write down what you will do this week and the date of the next check, while the details are still fresh. The first-visit checklist has more prompts.
What to track between visits
Use whatever record your team can easily review. Some people bring a meter download, others use paper. If you use a paper glucose logbook, fill the rows that match your testing plan. Add enough context to explain a reading, such as a late meal, a missed dose, an illness, or unusual activity. Ask which readings your clinician wants to see and when to send them.
Set one small routine that suits your schedule. For example, you could plan two dinners using the plate method and note how easy they are to prepare. If you are considering a major change in meals or exercise and you take insulin or another medicine that can cause low glucose, discuss the timing with your care team first. They can help you prepare a plan for lows.
Keep follow-up care on the calendar
Blood sugar can rise again after remission. The consensus report recommends checking A1C at least yearly after remission and continuing routine screening for complications. Ask your clinician which visits and tests are due for you, including checks for eye, kidney, and foot problems. A follow-up calendar can be as simple as a reminder on your phone or a card on the refrigerator.
If the plan feels hard to maintain, describe the specific part that is getting in the way. A meal plan that requires a kitchen when you are on the road is harder to use than a few options you can buy nearby. If you feel frustrated about your readings, ask about diabetes self-management education and support. It is reasonable to focus on a daily routine you can carry out even if remission is unlikely or has never been part of your goals.
Be cautious with offers that promise a cure or tell you to replace your care plan. Take a screenshot of a claim you are curious about and bring it to your pharmacist or doctor. Ask whether the information is appropriate for your type of diabetes and medicines. Keep the number for your care team somewhere you can find it when you have a question.
Common questions
Can a single normal A1C confirm remission?
A single value needs clinical context. The commonly used definition considers how long glucose has stayed below the diabetes threshold without glucose-lowering medication. Your clinician can decide how to assess it.
Can someone in remission stop going to diabetes visits?
Follow-up is still important because glucose can rise again and complications can develop. Ask when to have your next A1C and screening appointments.
What if I do not know which type I have?
Ask the clinician who made the diagnosis which type is recorded, what supports it, and whether any additional testing is needed.