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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Is it possible to reverse diabetes

    Related Topics
    Endocrinology Type 1 Diabetes Type 2 Diabetes
    I have heard stories about people completely reversing their diabetes. Is this true? Can it be done?
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    Diane Munns

    Dietitian

    I'm an Accredited Practising Dietitian with more than 30 years experience. Particular areas of interest and expertise are in Obesity & Weight Mgt, Type 2 … View Profile

    It is certainly not possible to reverse Type 1 Diabetes or cure it at this point in time.  JDRF is a fantastic organization that can provide information on where the research is up to at this point of time with regard to searching for a cure.
    To get Type 2 Diabetes you have to have the gene for it and then it is usually environment that puts someone in the diabetes blood glucose range.  Putting on weight is often the trigger.  If you lose weight, eat a Low GI, portion controlled diet and exercise regularly, it is possible to pull your Diabetes back somewhat, and yes in some cases you can appear to have reversed it, achieving an HbA1c in the normal range of 4 - 6%.  However, as soon as weight goes on, most likely the blood glucose levels will rise again back into the Diabetic range.  Also, Diabetes is a progressive disease, so no matter how well controlled someone is, over time the pancreous becomes less efficient and the next step of management will be required.  Diet and Exercise and weight management.  Then add one oral hypoglycaemic agent, then another, then insulin.  It also depends on how long you have had diabetes as to how the treatment progresses.  So to sum it up, in the early stages it can appear that you can reverse your Diabetes. And if you keep your weight under control, it may stay this way for some time.

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  • Mr Niruben Rajasagaram

    Bariatric (Obesity) Surgeon, General Surgeon, Upper GI Surgeon (Abdominal)

    Niruben Rajasagaram - Consultant Bariatric, Oesophagogastric & General Surgeon. He specialises in benign/malignant conditions that affect the upper gastrointestinal tract, as well as obesity and … View Profile

    Short answer it it can happen in obese type 2 diabetics who undergo metabolic surgery. 

    Long answer : 

    Each individual has to be assessed by a specialist bariatric surgeon. This will involve a frank discussion about the benefits / risks, aims, outcomes, etc

    For the first time in the history of diabetes a recommendation has been put forward for surgery to be considered an option in obese type 2 diabetics. This is an excerpt below

    Clinical guidelines published this week1 announce what may be the most radical change in the treatment of type 2 diabetes for almost a century. Appearing in Diabetes Care, a journal of the American Diabetes Association, and endorsed by 45 professional societies around the world, the guidelines propose that surgery involving the manipulation of the stomach or intestine be considered as a standard treatment option for appropriate candidates. This development follows multiple clinical trials showing that gastrointestinal surgery can improve blood-sugar levels more effectively than any lifestyle or pharmaceutical intervention, and even lead to long-term remission of the disease

    There is a thorough understanding that is needed before undertaking surgery for this. This will be discussed in detail with your specialist. In a sense this fact has been well known among bariatric and metabolic surgeons for some time now. It is nice to see non surgeons coming on board to try and support this. We may finally be on a stepping stone that will stop putting surgery as the last option in these patients, giving patients a real chance to potentially put their diabetes days behind them

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  • Kirsty Woods

    Exercise Physiologist

    Hi I’m Kirsty Woods,I would like to use my experience, expertise and passion to help you reach your weight, energy and health goalsI have been … View Profile

    Recent research suggests that diabetes (type 2) doesn't awlays have to be progressive, and can  actually be reversed (i wouldn't necessarily say cured).

    You may find this blog of interest: https://intensivedietarymanagement.com/treatments-that-cure-type-2-diabetes-t2d5/

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