Meaning of "in remission"

[Tutts711]

I would like to understand the meaning of T2 being in "remission".

My understanding of "remission" is that my body is again able to efficient process the glucose properly. A sort of recovery from being unable to process the glucose properly.

Another way the word "in remission" is used seem to suggest only a situation where one can maintain, by reducing carb intake, the glucose level within the range specified in https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_care/blood-sugar-level-ranges.html. Doesn't this only mean a non-medical intervention for insulin resistance and not, necessarily, that you are no longer insulin resistant.

 

[catinahat]

My understanding of "remission" is that my body is again able to efficient process the glucose properly

Fairly certain that would be considered a cure.
Here's the definition of remission copied from a dictionary

Remission noun (OF ILLNESS)
[ C or U ] formal
a period of time when an illness is less severe or is not affecting someone:

Way I see it is if I maintain non diabetic levels without medication by not eating carbs and avoid the possible consequences of high blood sugar. Then I am in remission.
If on the other hand I could eat anything at all and still have non diabetic levels. Then I would be cured, but unfortunately they haven't found a cure yet so I'll settle for remission.

 

[TeddyTottie]

I consider myself to have my diabetes in remission by the second definition - I can maintain my BG within normal levels by diet alone. In this way diabetes does not damage my body and there will be (hopefully!) no progressive deterioration. I think some members have suggested that their insulin resistance reduces over time with this approach, and they may be able to tolerate more carbs without raising their BG. And some few report that they are, in effect, cured, as per your first definition.

However I do not think that my mundane, straightforward T2 will ever be cured to the point I could resume eating high levels of carbs. Like a puppy, diabetes is for life, for most of us! However the damage potential of the disease can be mitigated to the point that it has no real impact but we remain vulnerable should something change to adversely affect our BG control, like medication for other issues or contracting other illnesses.

IMO worrying about remission or cure is just semantics, it’s more realistic to consider that you will always have a carb intolerance and behave accordingly.

 

[HSSS]

Whilst I see your point almost every diabetic/medical organisation’s definition is some version of the latter. It is however widely misunderstood by the general public to mean the former. Which in my book is cure not remission.

Hence so much denial that remission is possible from some quarters - because currently cure is not possible. Equally why those that claim cure really mean remission.

 

[Tutts711]

Fairly certain that would be considered a cure.
Here's the definition of remission copied from a dictionary

Remission noun (OF ILLNESS)
[ C or U ] formal
a period of time when an illness is less severe or is not affecting someone:

Way I see it is if I maintain non diabetic levels without medication by not eating carbs and avoid the possible consequences of high blood sugar. Then I am in remission.
If on the other hand I could eat anything at all and still have non diabetic levels. Then I would be cured, but unfortunately they haven't found a cure yet so I'll settle for remission.

Thanks. I fully agree. It is definitely better than taking medication.

 

[Tutts711]

Whilst I see your point almost every diabetic/medical organisation’s definition is some version of the latter. It is however widely misunderstood by the general public to mean the former. Which in my book is cure not remission.

Hence so much denial that remission is possible from some quarters - because currently cure is not possible. Equally why those that claim cure really mean remission.

This is very helpful. I thought it was just me struggling with the meaning of a word.

"Cure is not possible". Well, that applies to many other more debilitating conditions. And finally to death. So I am quite fine with it .

Thanks

 

[Tutts711]

I consider myself to have my diabetes in remission by the second definition - I can maintain my BG within normal levels by diet alone. In this way diabetes does not damage my body and there will be (hopefully!) no progressive deterioration. I think some members have suggested that their insulin resistance reduces over time with this approach, and they may be able to tolerate more carbs without raising their BG. And some few report that they are, in effect, cured, as per your first definition.

However I do not think that my mundane, straightforward T2 will ever be cured to the point I could resume eating high levels of carbs. Like a puppy, diabetes is for life, for most of us! However the damage potential of the disease can be mitigated to the point that it has no real impact but we remain vulnerable should something change to adversely affect our BG control, like medication for other issues or contracting other illnesses.

IMO worrying about remission or cure is just semantics, it’s more realistic to consider that you will always have a carb intolerance and behave accordingly.

Agree totally. Cure would be a "good to have". Otherwise "remission" or control to normal level is good enough an outcome. Thanks!

 

[Rachox]

I have remission under my avatar as a compromise, as it was the closest choice to how I would like to define my diabetes. I would prefer ‘very well controlled’, as in non diabetic HbA1cs since 4 months after diagnosis in 2017. I have the definition of remission in my signature here as a constant reminder that it’s a temporary state, if I returned to eating loads of carbs again I’d be back in the diabetic range

 

[Riva_Roxaban]

I prefer in recovery to remission, the same way as people with alcoholism work hard try to recover by not drinking alcohol.

I have been off of Metformin for several years, and control my T2 by a moderate low carb healthy fat diet. Owing to ongoing health problems not T2 related my bgj have been been fluctuating for the last nine months.

 

[Ronancastled]

A normal non-diabetic eats 300-350gs of carbs per day, has an A1c of 5.1% (33) & spends 97% of the day <7.8 (140).
I've found a few unicorns online claiming they can meet all 3 diagnostic criteria, FBG, A1c & OGTT, but none would claim an ability to eat 300gs of carbs with perfect numbers while sitting on their backside all day watching Netflix while munching on a share bag of Dorittos.

Lets face it, only 18% of the population are metabolically healthy, normal BP. BG & lipids.
The US & UK are looking at a third of the population being pre-diabetic or full blown today.
Estimates say that could be 50% by 2040, it's only going one way.

Remission, reversal . . . . cure ???
It's all a nonsense really, hyper insulin is the real enemy, we are tracking the wrong metric.

 

[Resurgam]

I was not diagnosed as type 2 diabetic until I was 65 years old, but could not eat 'normal' amounts of carbs all my life without unwanted side effects - weight gain was the most enduring, but fatigue, brain fog and other unwanted transient effects were a nuisance. Low carb has effectively nullified my diabetes, but the usual effects are still just as unwanted.

 

[KennyA]

Here's what "normal" blood glucose looks like (attached). You'll see about 90% of these non-diabetic people have a blood glucose somewhere between 36 and 42. As a diabetic, if I maintain my blood glucose in that region I should avoid the damage done by higher blood glucose levels. That's "remission" - no further damage is happening. I'm not cured, because if I let my low carb diet slip, my blood glucose will rise and I'll cause more damage to myself.

 

[Tutts711]

A normal non-diabetic eats 300-350gs of carbs per day, has an A1c of 5.1% (33) & spends 97% of the day <7.8 (140).
I've found a few unicorns online claiming they can meet all 3 diagnostic criteria, FBG, A1c & OGTT, but none would claim an ability to eat 300gs of carbs with perfect numbers while sitting on their backside all day watching Netflix while munching on a share bag of Dorittos.

Lets face it, only 18% of the population are metabolically healthy, normal BP. BG & lipids.
The US & UK are looking at a third of the population being pre-diabetic or full blown today.
Estimates say that could be 50% by 2040, it's only going one way.

Remission, reversal . . . . cure ???
It's all a nonsense really, hyper insulin is the real enemy, we are tracking the wrong metric.

Would be great to be able to get good number with 150-200 gm of carb per day. I am Chinese so rice (polished) and all sort of noodle is such a staple part of my diet. Until now. Fortunately, I am getting use to eating less of it.