We get lots of questions about whether you can reverse other types of diabetes or put them into remission. Here are the answers based on what we know at the moment.
Can you reverse type 1 diabetes?
People with type 1 diabetes cannot reverse their diabetes or go into remission.
There are treatments available for managing it, but these treatments mainly focus on managing blood sugar levels, rather than reversing the underlying causes of type 1 diabetes. This is because we don't know what causes type 1 diabetes.
Some people with type 1 diabetes can start to produce some of their own insulin again with islet transplants.
We are working hard to discover how remission of type 1 diabetes may be possible though. Researchers and scientists are exploring different possibilities for new treatments but these approaches are still in the experimental stages.
Find out more about type 1 diabetes research.
Can you reverse gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is diabetes that develops in pregnancy in women who do not already have diabetes. It happens because pregnancy puts extra demands on your body. Gestational diabetes can be managed to help prevent complications to you and your baby but you cannot reverse it.
Most women who have gestational diabetes have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies, and it usually goes away after the baby is born. But if you have had gestational diabetes, you are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
We’ve got lots more information about gestational diabetes.
Can you reverse prediabetes?
Prediabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
It is possible for some people to prevent prediabetes from developing into type 2 diabetes and lower their blood sugar levels to a healthy range. Changes to your diet, being more active and losing weight if you’re living with overweight or obesity, can help reduce your blood sugar levels into the non-diabetes range.
But the causes of type 2 diabetes are complex. There are lots of different factors that affect whether people develop it, like our genes, biology, ethnicity, age, and bodyweight. And we don’t know how everyone can stop their prediabetes from progressing. But we do know a healthy diet, moving more and being a healthy weight is important for your overall health.
Visit our prediabetes guide for lots more information.
