Fasting Safely with Diabetes
Fasting with diabetes — carefully
Intermittent fasting can improve insulin sensitivity and activate autophagy, but it requires medical guidance when on insulin or sulfonylureas.
True or False
All people with diabetes should avoid fasting completely.
This step is interactive — open the Thier app to try it.
Insulin + sulfonylureas — the real risk
If you take insulin or sulfonylureas (glipizide, glyburide, glimepiride), fasting without dose adjustment can cause severe hypoglycaemia. Metformin alone is much safer — it doesn't drive glucose down independently. Never start a fasting protocol while on glucose-lowering meds without telling your prescribing doctor first.
A safe progression
Stages most people can move through over 4-6 weeks with GP sign-off.
This step is interactive — open the Thier app to try it.
Warning signs to break a fast
Tap each to see what to do.
This step is interactive — open the Thier app to try it.
Key Takeaway
Start with a 12-hour overnight fast (e.g. 7pm-7am) — this is safe for most and activates early autophagy. Extend only with medical supervision.