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Dear Dr. E,
I’m newly diagnosed with diabetes and trying to understand if this is something I’m going to be dealing with for the rest of my life. Some things I’m reading say you can get rid of diabetes, but others say you can’t. What’s the truth?
This is hands-down the #1 question patients ask me at their first appointment…or even if they bump into me at Costco. I wish I could say, “Yes! Take the magic pill in aisle 7 and boom – diabetes gone!”
While there’s no way to “get rid of” diabetes (type 1 or type 2), there is a path toward diabetes remission for those with type 2. “Remission” is the word I prefer to use over “reversed” or “cured”.
The burden of type 1 diabetes can be significantly reduced until we do have a cure…which really and truly could be coming within the next five years. Mark my words!
In order to answer this question more thoroughly though, we have to look at each type of diabetes separately.
Can You Get Rid of Type 1 Diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, which means your immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in your pancreas. Once those cells are gone, your body can’t make insulin anymore.
I do believe that a functional cure for type 1 diabetes will be realized by the end of this decade. Research in stem cells, islet cell transplantation, gene therapy, and other cutting-edge approaches is moving faster than ever, and the results look incredibly promising.
While we can’t get rid of type 1 diabetes right now, what can be changed is the burden of living with it. Over the past decade, we’ve seen enormous advancements, including:
- Automated insulin delivery systems (hybrid closed-loop insulin pumps + CGMs) and integrations that help keep glucose in range with less user input
- Smart insulin pens that help with dose calculations and tracking
- Faster-acting insulins and inhaled insulin
- Disease-modifying and early intervention therapies like Tzield
Today, someone with type 1 diabetes can live a long, healthy, active life with fewer daily hassles than ever before.
Can You Get Rid of Type 2 Diabetes?
Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes can often be improved or even put into remission with weight loss, increased physical activity, and nutritional changes, returning metabolism to a completely normal state. Notice I said “diabetes remission” and not “cure”, because even if your glucose levels return to normal, your underlying tendency toward high blood sugar still exists.
In the earlier stages of type 2 diabetes, your body is typically really responsive to caloric restriction and exercise, and you may be able to get off all your medications and have completely normal numbers.
Medications like GLP-1 RAs and SGLT2 inhibitors can also reduce glucose levels and support weight loss, making diabetes remission more achievable.
It’s important to know that some people may never achieve diabetes remission even with major lifestyle changes…there are often factors involved beyond their control. That doesn’t mean they did anything wrong. What matters is that diabetes management can almost always be improved, and people have more tools today than ever before.
Key Takeaways
So, can you get rid of diabetes?
While type 1 diabetes can’t be eliminated, the goal is to make life easier, safer, and more predictable as research moves toward transformative treatments.
For those with type 2 diabetes, remission is possible. How can you “get rid” of diabetes? Early intervention, lifestyle strategies like diet and exercise, and modern treatment therapies give people more opportunities to improve their health than ever before.
The bottom line is that there is always hope, progress, and something new on the horizon.
And if you do bump into me in line at Costco, the madeleines and bourbon in my cart are for a friend!
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This explains a confusing topic in such a clear, reassuring way—it feels honest, hopeful, and very human, especially for someone newly diagnosed.
Glad it helped! 🙂
Well Dr Phil and Dr OZ, both abominations of HARPO aka Oprah Wind freed’s take on dumping socalled DR’s on Americas front door. Both Dr Phil and Dr Oz are on an internet selling SUGAR CONTROL, KETO GUMMIES APPLE CIDER VINEGAR PILLS for eliminating T2D in a month or more.
When are Dr. Donald J Trump and Dr. Robert F Kennedy Jr goning to after these internet shysters who are using the internet in unscrupulous, fraudulent, or deceptive methods in business ?
My son was diagnosed with T1D at age 12 (now 32). Recently, I had my autoantibodies tested because my A1c was slightly elevated (5.7%) but I had an unusually high meter reading ( 283 mg/ dl). Washed hands, checked again = 245 mg/ dl.
My GAD 65 was positive but other markers negative and C- peptide in normal range. However, 5 years and counting, I test my BG 3 times daily and take Metformin 1 g per day to normalize my BG as much as possible.
If my reading is correct, because GAD 65 AAb is pathogmomonic or autoimmune diabetes, it could be 10- 15 years before my beta cells give up on me. I am not a candidate for Tzield. One Endo told me to stop Metformin but it makes a noticeable difference so I continue use with diet and exercise.
Thoughts on progression?
Now that we’re doing more screening for autoantibodies we’re finding a lot of people who have one autoantibody, and it doesn’t give a prediction of diabetes in the next 15 years. Obviously I’m not your HCP, so be sure to consult with your own doctor before making any changes to your healthcare plan. Generally speaking, I would repeat all four tests perhaps every year for the next few years (at a good lab), and since you are responding quite well to metformin, you may have some degree of insulin resistance or the tendency to develop type 2 diabetes. At this point in time it’s impossible to say. In the meantime, keep your diabetes under control, and if you end up truly being type 1, there are companies like Vertex who are going to be able to infuse beta cells into people with diabetes of any duration. We also have gene therapy coming. If you aren’t yet wearing a CGM, try to get your hands on one, and you’ll have a much better idea of your blood sugar fluctuations throughout the day. If you can’t get a prescription you can get them over the counter now.
Very informative article! It presents a clear and balanced view on diabetes management and the importance of lifestyle changes alongside medical guidance. Definitely gives readers practical ideas for taking control of their health.
Thanks…appreciate the feedback!
Can you do a gene therapy for type 2 diabetes
Gene therapy is for people who need insulin, so the short answer to your question is yes you can if you have type 2 diabetes and are on insulin. Gene therapy will not be inexpensive, and you will not need immunosuppressants. The first target for gene therapy is people with type 1 diabetes, but I’m sure the studies will branch out into type 2. (So tell your doctors you’re a type 1 right now! Just kidding).