Is T2D remission rare?

I do think a lot of the people on here who regularly post are trying to keep their diabetes under very tight control. Hearing other peoples success stories can really help spur people on to try something. Though I do feel that we have probably taken slightly different journeys to get to that point. I'm still scared that I won't be able to keep it up. I didn't like my HbA1c going up from 33 to 34, Still working on keeping control.

I was diagnosed T2 3 months ago. I have lost 3 stones and a1c went from 91 to 44. Doing LCHF. I hope t be off meds within 2 years, diet controlled.

kokhongw said:

Can't seems to edit the poll question or options that has already been set.

Perhaps I should repoll, or admin/moderator can make a sticky poll.

Is your HbA1c less than 5.7% on at least 2 visits without taking any diabetes medication
Yes
No

I would be disappointed if we have less than 140

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I edited the poll for you and added 5.7% as request. However it means all those that have voted for 5.5 and 5.0 will now be in the wrong category. People may want to correct their votes

AtkinsMo said:

And it is clear that they were all advised to follow the 'standard advice' - maybe more interesting would be a follow up study of Dr David Unwin's patients, or even Richard Bernstein's.

I would imagine that remission / good dietary control / normal BG levels are rarely achieved and maintained long term, other than with a HFLC diet. And the ADA and BDA seem disinterested in funding proper research to prove that is the case.

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As I understand it, the LC Programmes run by this website is achieving mind-boggling numbers (You can see our esteemed @Administrator present the info, as at June in the PHCUK videos I posted a few months ago), and I understand participants of the study are being followed up at periodic intervals, after finishing the Programme, so I believe there is a mass of information being collated.

I feel sure any updated information will be published in due course, both from Dr Unwin's work and from DCUK.

These are exciting times for T2s, and I am hopeful the messaging landscape by HCPs will be changing before long. Fingers crossed!

I would think it is very rare for type 2s to achieve full remission AND maintain it for 5 plus years. There are a lot of T2s on here with an A1c of less than 5.7% but how many of those have maintained it for 5 years or longer without medication? That is the question.

The important part of this research is the maintenance, not the initial remission.

chalup said:

I personally do not think that is remission, it is good dietary control. Almost always low carb. If those people eat a big bowl of ice cream what do their sugars do?

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My hba1c has been 5.6 for 2 years, I follow a low carb diet. I did a test a couple of months ago. I ata a slice of blackcurrant & buttercream cake (46g carbs approx) my bg was 8.8 after 1hr, 7.4 after a further 1hrs & 6.3 after another 1hr. But there is the case of Carlos who did the Newcastle diet, who was at risk of losing his foot at the start. His foot is now fine, he ate a blueberry muffin and his hba1c was 4.1 after 1 hour

Without repeating all my history (its posted elsewhere on here), I was diagnosed about 15 weeks ago, at my last Diabetes Nurse Appt 3 weeks ago, in the 12 weeks, I have lost 20lbs and gone from 63 to 52.

I said I had been increasing my LowCarb regime and she said that I had done well, but if I wanted to relax my regime she could increase my medication, as I was on the "low" dose of 2x500mg Metformin per day.
When I said that my goal was to be medication free, she said that was highly unlikely as Diabetes 2 is mostly hereditary.

I didn't take her offer and will still maintain my regime and goal, but if this offer is generally being made to patients who are not as committed, it is no surprise that they are opting for more meds, rather than the life style change.

Shocking @Cranfield!! Totally wrong attitude from health professionals!

We should be able to trust the healthcare professionals! I do get a bit upset when people on here imply that most people don't care or just don't bother if they do what the doctor ordered and keep taking the meds. I did for over 8 years. Never been overweight and ate a 'healthy' plate so was told my T2 wasn't due to diet and I believed them. Only discovered lchf and this site because of a magazine article.

Bluetit1802 said:

I would think it is very rare for type 2s to achieve full remission AND maintain it for 5 plus years. There are a lot of T2s on here with an A1c of less than 5.7% but how many of those have maintained it for 5 years or longer without medication? That is the question.

The important part of this research is the maintenance, not the initial remission.

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I bet the rate of reversal for at least 5 years is better than 6 out of 122,789 with LCHF.