What is diabetes remission?

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.

When diabetes is in remission, the risk that it could come back is higher than normal. You would still need to make the same healthy choices that you would for active diabetes.

Remission is most likely:

• In the early stage of diabetes, before medicine is needed.
• After a big weight loss.
• After bariatric surgery for weight loss, which can trigger healthy changes in the body's insulin system.

Remission is less likely in the later stages of diabetes. This is because over time the body may slowly lose its ability to make insulin.

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.