What is diabetes remission?

There's no way to know in advance if type 2 diabetes will go into remission. It happens for some people and not others, even if they have the same diet, exercise, weight loss, or weight-loss surgery. Experts don't fully understand why.

Remission is not well understood, so you will need to continue having regular blood sugar tests. Regular testing for other problems related to diabetes, such as foot checks and eye exams, will also need to continue.

Remission means having an A1c of 6.5% or lower without using diabetes medicine for at least 3 months. Some people who don't need diabetes medicine go into remission with weight loss, diabetes-focused healthy eating, and exercise. Their bodies are still able to make and use insulin.