• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Diabetes Everyday

Living your best life with diabetes. Toby Smithson provides professional guidance with personal experience.

  • Diabetes EveryDay
  • Work With Toby
    • Meet Toby
      • Contact Toby
    • Toby in the Media
      • Interviews and Articles
    • Toby’s Books
    • Speaking Out About Diabetes
  • Sharing Toby’s Knowledge
    • Understanding Diabetes
    • Eating Healthy
    • Being Physically Active
    • Medications and Monitoring Health
    • Reducing Stress
    • Staying Motivated
    • Diabetes Resources
  • YouTube Channel
  • Newsletter
  • FAQ
You are here: Home / Understanding Diabetes / Can I Get Rid Of (reverse, cure…) My Diabetes?

Can I Get Rid Of (reverse, cure…) My Diabetes?

September 8, 2020 By Toby Smithson

Maybe the most common question I get from patients is “how can I get rid of my diabetes?” Well, in spite of what you may see in ads for supplements or in promises of fad diets the answer is almost certainly “NO.” But, so what? The real question is can you manage diabetes to preserve your long term health? That answer is YES!

Can I Get Rid of My Diabetes?

Hi everyone….Toby Smithson at Diabetes Every Day. I get a lot of my material from questions my “patients ask me, and this is one of the common ones – can I get rid of my diabetes or can I reverse diabetes or can diabetes be cured? These are all basically the same question, and the answer is no……….but. And that’s kind of a big “but” for type 2.

Ok…quick review. When we eat carbohydrates…and “we” is everybody….our digestion frees glucose which is released into our bloodstream raising “blood glucose” or blood sugar levels above the ideal level of between 70 and 99 mg per deciliter of blood.

As blood sugar begins rising the natural process is that our pancreas releases insulin and the insulin rounds up the excess glucose and stimulates cells…primarily muscle and liver cells….to store this excess glucose until it’s needed for energy. Stashing glucose in cells lowers the amount in our blood back to an ideal level.

Type 1 Diabetes – Can I get rid of it?

Ok…in type 1 diabetes the pancreas cannot produce the insulin necessary to get cells to take in glucose, so blood sugar levels go up….and up….and up. Type 1 diabetes requires insulin from an external source…typically this would be an injection or an infusion with an insulin pump.

Several strategies to cure type 1 have been tried with some success, including pancreas transplantation or the transplantation of the islet cells which produce insulin, and other ideas hold promise.

But it would be misleading to say that a cure is available.

Type 2 Diabetes – Can I get rid of it?

Type 2 diabetes is a little less straightforward. In the early stages of type 2 diabetes, or in what’s called prediabetes, there is no shortage of insulin. But the cells that normally respond to insulin by allowing glucose to come into the cell for storage are not being so cooperative.

The cells are becoming resistant to insulin, and blood sugar levels remain higher than normal even as the pancreas cranks out more and more insulin. Over time the pancreas poops out and insulin levels drop. That’s why type 2 diabetes is considered a progressive condition, and why people with type 2 tend to switch medications to address the changes over time.

Fasting Blood Glucose Levels

OK….the standards say that fasting blood glucose levels from 70 to 99 are normal, from 100 to 125 are prediabetes, and  higher than 125 after fasting  or any blood sugar reading of 200 or higher is “diagnostic” for type 2 diabetes. Now…these numbers are not scientific absolutes, like the speed of light.

For instance, the Diabetes Prevention Program beginning in 1996 showed that people with prediabetes reduced their risk for progressing to a diabetes diagnosis by 60 to 70 percent by changing their lifestyle habits, losing a modest amount of weight, and getting educational and goal setting support.

A follow-up study showed this success held for 15 years…they stopped the typical “prediabetes to type 2 diabetes” progression. So, would it be correct to say “that’s all good for prediabetes, but if you ever meet the definition for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes….like a fasting blood glucose of 132 instead of 122 for prediabetes…. then everything changes”? Of course not. These lifestyle changes can make a huge difference wherever you find yourself.

The Bottom Line

But the question of getting rid of diabetes or reversing it or curing it is misplaced. Can you get your fasting blood glucose levels down to a target range for people without diabetes? Maybe, maybe not.

Can you get your A1C below 6.5%? Maybe, maybe not. Can you keep them there for 15 years? Maybe, maybe not.

Can you do it without medication? Maybe, maybe not.

Are you then cured or reversed if you do? What difference does it make? It’s not a contest…you are managing diabetes effectively.

And you can manage diabetes effectively if you need medication, or if you don’t see blood sugar levels in the target range.

Focus on lifestyle, focus on averages, focus on time. The goal is a long and active life managing diabetes, not fretting over what to call it. Thanks for watching, cheers to your health.

You may also like:

  • Does a “Cheat Day” Make Sense With Diabetes?
  • 5 Facts About Coconut Oil & Diabetes
  • Everything You Need To Know About Blood Sugar
  • Diabetes Battles- Banana vs Candy Bar – What’s the Point?
  • 4 Tips For Managing Diabetes and Food Cravings

Filed Under: Understanding Diabetes Tagged With: a1c, blood glucose, prediabetes

Toby Smithson Diabetes Everyday

Subscribe on YouTube

Toby Smithson dynamically combines her knowledge as a certified diabetes educator and registered dietitian nutritionist with her life experiences successfully managing type 1 diabetes for more than five decades.

Primary Sidebar

Search

Keys to Living Well – Toby’s Posts

Recent Posts

  • Does a “Cheat Day” Make Sense With Diabetes? April 7, 2021
  • 5 Facts About Coconut Oil & Diabetes April 7, 2021
  • Everything You Need To Know About Blood Sugar March 25, 2021
  • Diabetes Battles- Banana vs Candy Bar – What’s the Point? March 25, 2021
  • 4 Tips For Managing Diabetes and Food Cravings March 10, 2021

Post Archives

Before Footer

tobysmithson

376

tobysmithson

View

Apr 14

Open
Check out my latest #youtubevideo which is part 2 about #cheatday. I give you tips on how to include some of your fav foods without #cheating. #healthyeatinghabits #healthyeating #healthyeatingtips #chocolatelover #pizzalover #frenchfries #almondbutter #peanutbutter #freshtomatoes #tomatowellness #ripplefoods #diabetes #diabetesmanagement

Check out my latest #youtubevideo which is part 2 about #cheatday. I give you tips on how to include some of your fav foods without #cheating. #healthyeatinghabits #healthyeating #healthyeatingtips #chocolatelover #pizzalover #frenchfries #almondbutter #peanutbutter #freshtomatoes #tomatowellness #ripplefoods #diabetes #diabetesmanagement ...

tobysmithson

View

Apr 11

Open
We are celebrating everyone’s pet today... well we celebrate our #englishspringerspaniel every single day. ❤️ #nationalpetday #englishspringerrescue #englishspringerrescueamerica #unconditionallove #sisters

We are celebrating everyone’s pet today... well we celebrate our #englishspringerspaniel every single day. ❤️ #nationalpetday #englishspringerrescue #englishspringerrescueamerica #unconditionallove #sisters ...

tobysmithson

View

Apr 7

Open
Do you or your patients have #cheatday ? I hear this a lot, is it needed? Tune in to this week’s #youtube video for part 1 all about #cheatfood #cheatmeals #cheatmeal  Link to #youtubevideo in my bio.  #dieting #diabetes #diabetesmanagement #diabetesonlinecommunity #type1diabetes #type2diabetes #type1  #type2 #healthyeating #healthyeatingtips #chocolate #potatoes #frenchfries #pizza #tomatoes🍅 #diabetestips #diabetestipsandtricks

Do you or your patients have #cheatday ? I hear this a lot, is it needed? Tune in to this week’s #youtube video for part 1 all about #cheatfood #cheatmeals #cheatmeal Link to #youtubevideo in my bio. #dieting #diabetes #diabetesmanagement #diabetesonlinecommunity #type1diabetes #type2diabetes #type1 #type2 #healthyeating #healthyeatingtips #chocolate #potatoes #frenchfries #pizza #tomatoes🍅 #diabetestips #diabetestipsandtricks ...

tobysmithson

View

Apr 7

Open
Exciting day at the #garden . #tomato flowers are showing on several of my plants! #purejoy #tomatowellness #haveaplant #physicalactivity #zenmoment #farmtotable

Exciting day at the #garden . #tomato flowers are showing on several of my plants! #purejoy #tomatowellness #haveaplant #physicalactivity #zenmoment #farmtotable ...

tobysmithson

View

Mar 31

Open
What’s the real story about #coconutoil . Check out my #video- link in bio. #diabetes #healthyfats #hearthealth #diabetesmanagement #type1diabetes #type2diabetes #type1 #type2 #diabetescommunity

What’s the real story about #coconutoil . Check out my #video- link in bio. #diabetes #healthyfats #hearthealth #diabetesmanagement #type1diabetes #type2diabetes #type1 #type2 #diabetescommunity ...

tobysmithson

View

Mar 26

Open
Filming day. Behind the scenes... you know my #englishspringerspaniel is not far when I’m  filming my #youtube #videos  #englishspringerrescueamerica #diabetescommunity #diabetes #diabetesmanagement #englishspringerspanielsofinstagram

Filming day. Behind the scenes... you know my #englishspringerspaniel is not far when I’m filming my #youtube #videos #englishspringerrescueamerica #diabetescommunity #diabetes #diabetesmanagement #englishspringerspanielsofinstagram ...

tobysmithson

View

Mar 24

Open
Please! Please refer to medical professionals who focus their information on #sciencebased evidence. If you have diabetes, speak to a #cdces . Honestly this weeks #youtubevideo is in my response to a video that was posted ( he has a huge following) with sooo much misinformation about #diabetesmanagement.  Link to my video is in bio. #certifieddiabetescareandeducationspecialists #diabeteseducator #diabetescommunity #type1diabetes #type2diabetes  #fruit #chocolatecandybar #bloodsugar #bloodsugarbalance #registereddietitian @adcesdiabetes

Please! Please refer to medical professionals who focus their information on #sciencebased evidence. If you have diabetes, speak to a #cdces . Honestly this weeks #youtubevideo is in my response to a video that was posted ( he has a huge following) with sooo much misinformation about #diabetesmanagement. Link to my video is in bio. #certifieddiabetescareandeducationspecialists #diabeteseducator #diabetescommunity #type1diabetes #type2diabetes #fruit #chocolatecandybar #bloodsugar #bloodsugarbalance #registereddietitian @adcesdiabetes ...

tobysmithson

View

Mar 23

Open
Grateful to reach a point in my career to pick and choose what I WANT to do. Focusing on my #vegetablegarden is one of them. Started my #tomato #plants and #bellpeppers using a #hydroponicsystem  #physicaactivity #happygardener #tomatowellness #diabetesmanagement #diabetescommunity #type1diabetes #plantbased #joyandhappiness

Grateful to reach a point in my career to pick and choose what I WANT to do. Focusing on my #vegetablegarden is one of them. Started my #tomato #plants and #bellpeppers using a #hydroponicsystem #physicaactivity #happygardener #tomatowellness #diabetesmanagement #diabetescommunity #type1diabetes #plantbased #joyandhappiness ...

tobysmithson

View

Mar 19

Open
Happy gotcha day Addie! The best thing that happened in 2020! Love our #englishspringerspaniel sooo much ❤️. TY @springerrescueamerica for accepting our application to adopt/rescue our wonderful #dog  #englishspringerspaniels #englishspringerspanielsofinstagram

Happy gotcha day Addie! The best thing that happened in 2020! Love our #englishspringerspaniel sooo much ❤️. TY @springerrescueamerica for accepting our application to adopt/rescue our wonderful #dog #englishspringerspaniels #englishspringerspanielsofinstagram ...

tobysmithson

View

Mar 17

Open
Sorry, not a #saintpatricksday post today. But happy #saintpattysday to this who celebrate! Sharing a #video today all about #sugar, #bloodsugar. Foundational info for people with #diabetes . Link to video in my bio. #goodtoknow #diabetescommunity #diabetessupplies #healthylifestyle #a1c #type1diabetes #type2diabetes  #type1 #type2 #bloodsugarbalance

Sorry, not a #saintpatricksday post today. But happy #saintpattysday to this who celebrate! Sharing a #video today all about #sugar, #bloodsugar. Foundational info for people with #diabetes . Link to video in my bio. #goodtoknow #diabetescommunity #diabetessupplies #healthylifestyle #a1c #type1diabetes #type2diabetes #type1 #type2 #bloodsugarbalance ...

tobysmithson

View

Mar 15

Open
Thinking about or already using #plantbasedmilk ? @nutritionjill and I offer a review for people with #diabetes  #healthyeating #diabetescommunity #type1diabetes #type2diabetes @eatingwell #plantbased

Thinking about or already using #plantbasedmilk ? @nutritionjill and I offer a review for people with #diabetes #healthyeating #diabetescommunity #type1diabetes #type2diabetes @eatingwell #plantbased ...

tobysmithson

View

Mar 10

Open
Need to give a shout out here...Thank you @californiaalmonds for helping to personalize my plate and beverage in honor of Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day. #sponsored #healthysnacking #diabetesfriendly

Need to give a shout out here...Thank you @californiaalmonds for helping to personalize my plate and beverage in honor of Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day. #sponsored #healthysnacking #diabetesfriendly ...

tobysmithson

View

Mar 10

Open
Perfect topic on this Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) Day! The best go to resource for #nutrition / #diet / #diabetesmanagement related question is a #RDN  Link to #video in bio. #diabetescommunity #diabetes  #chocolate #foodcravings #healthyeating #type1diabetes #type2diabetes #youcandothis

Perfect topic on this Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) Day! The best go to resource for #nutrition / #diet / #diabetesmanagement related question is a #RDN Link to #video in bio. #diabetescommunity #diabetes #chocolate #foodcravings #healthyeating #type1diabetes #type2diabetes #youcandothis ...

tobysmithson

View

Mar 10

Open
Ready for the beach? Come on down. Just received the perfect snacks for anytime but they are perfect to take to the beach for me! #diabetesfriendly combining carbs from fruit @halosfun and healthy fats @wonderfulpistachios . TY @thewonderfulcompany for these goodies.  Happy RDN Day! #diabetes #healthysnacks #plantbased #plantbasedfood #registereddietitiannutritionist

Ready for the beach? Come on down. Just received the perfect snacks for anytime but they are perfect to take to the beach for me! #diabetesfriendly combining carbs from fruit @halosfun and healthy fats @wonderfulpistachios . TY @thewonderfulcompany for these goodies. Happy RDN Day! #diabetes #healthysnacks #plantbased #plantbasedfood #registereddietitiannutritionist ...

tobysmithson

View

Mar 9

Open
#behindthescenes of my #video post scheduled for tomorrow. I guess it was very calming to my #englishspringerspaniel ! #englishspringerrescueamerica #englishspringerspanielsofinstagram #diabetes #diabetesmanagement #healthyeating

#behindthescenes of my #video post scheduled for tomorrow. I guess it was very calming to my #englishspringerspaniel ! #englishspringerrescueamerica #englishspringerspanielsofinstagram #diabetes #diabetesmanagement #healthyeating ...

tobysmithson

View

Mar 4

Open
No excuses to finding great tasting #recipes to add more #vegetable and #fruit to your plate. Personalize your plate with any of these #dietitian approved recipes. Video link in bio. Shout out to @chewthefacts  #NNM #diabetesfriendly #diabetescommunity #healthyeatingideas #type2diabetes #type1diabetes  #haveaplant @eatright_pro

No excuses to finding great tasting #recipes to add more #vegetable and #fruit to your plate. Personalize your plate with any of these #dietitian approved recipes. Video link in bio. Shout out to @chewthefacts #NNM #diabetesfriendly #diabetescommunity #healthyeatingideas #type2diabetes #type1diabetes #haveaplant @eatright_pro ...

tobysmithson

View

Mar 2

Open
Love this #southcarolina dish that’s served at many local restaurants. Personalized my plate by making it at home. #diabetes #cheeselover #NNM #diabetesfriendly @ndc_ie  #dairy

Love this #southcarolina dish that’s served at many local restaurants. Personalized my plate by making it at home. #diabetes #cheeselover #NNM #diabetesfriendly @ndc_ie #dairy ...

tobysmithson

View

Mar 1

Open
Happy #NationalNutritionMonth! Loving this list of #dietitiantips for #mealprep  Anything new that you plan on trying?  @christinejbyrne @myfitnesspal @kimyawitz_rdn @weight.loss.dietitian @bethstark.rdn @amydgorin @chefgirl_nutrition @no.waste.nutrition @cheerfulchoices @nutrigirl66 @jsmartnutrition @prettynutritious_ @amandaterillo @eatright_pro #eatrightpro #nnmchat #healthyeating #mealprepping #mealprepideas https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/tips-from-dietitians-for-better-meal-prep/

Happy #NationalNutritionMonth! Loving this list of #dietitiantips for #mealprep Anything new that you plan on trying? @christinejbyrne @myfitnesspal @kimyawitz_rdn @weight.loss.dietitian @bethstark.rdn @amydgorin @chefgirl_nutrition @no.waste.nutrition @cheerfulchoices @nutrigirl66 @jsmartnutrition @prettynutritious_ @amandaterillo @eatright_pro #eatrightpro #nnmchat #healthyeating #mealprepping #mealprepideas https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/tips-from-dietitians-for-better-meal-prep/ ...

tobysmithson

View

Mar 1

Open
Took the opportunity to #relax at the beach. Our #englishspringerspaniel  loved letting the breeze blow her hair and watching other dogs swim in the ocean ❤️ #relaxationtime #englishspringerrescueamerica #loveourdog @smithsonanthony

Took the opportunity to #relax at the beach. Our #englishspringerspaniel loved letting the breeze blow her hair and watching other dogs swim in the ocean ❤️ #relaxationtime #englishspringerrescueamerica #loveourdog @smithsonanthony ...

tobysmithson

View

Feb 26

Open
Took my #englishspringerspaniel for a walk to the #beach to meetup with her sister. I feel like this photo can be straight out of a movie. What’s the caption you’d write for this photo?  #relaxationtime #stressrelief #englishspringerrescueamerica #englishspringerspanielsofinstagram #englishspringerspanielsofig #diabetesmanagement

Took my #englishspringerspaniel for a walk to the #beach to meetup with her sister. I feel like this photo can be straight out of a movie. What’s the caption you’d write for this photo? #relaxationtime #stressrelief #englishspringerrescueamerica #englishspringerspanielsofinstagram #englishspringerspanielsofig #diabetesmanagement ...

Load More Follow on Instagram

Footer

Recent Posts

  • Does a “Cheat Day” Make Sense With Diabetes?
  • 5 Facts About Coconut Oil & Diabetes
  • Everything You Need To Know About Blood Sugar
  • Diabetes Battles- Banana vs Candy Bar – What’s the Point?

Let’s Connect!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Keep in touch with diabetes news.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertising/ Disclosure
  • Contact Toby
  • Terms of Use

Copyright © 2021 Diabetes Everyday · Website by Market Me Social Inc.