How many days are required to regulate blood sugar levels?

The time required to regulate blood glucose varies from person to person, mainly depending on the degree of elevated blood glucose, the presence of complications, and the type of intervention. Generally, it may take anywhere from two weeks to three months.

For patients newly diagnosed with mild hyperglycemia and no serious complications, blood glucose levels may improve within 2–4 weeks if strict dietary control and increased physical activity are implemented. Blood glucose may then stabilize near the normal range (fasting glucose 4.4–7.0 mmol/L, postprandial glucose <10 mmol/L) within 1–2 months.

If blood glucose levels are significantly elevated—for example, fasting glucose >11.1 mmol/L, accompanied by ketosis or HbA1c >9%, or combined with metabolic abnormalities such as obesity, hypertension, or dyslipidemia—medications such as metformin or GLP-1 receptor agonists are usually required, along with lifestyle modifications. In such cases, regulation may take 2–3 months.

In stress conditions such as infections, surgery, pregnancy, or in patients with special types of diabetes such as MODY, the blood glucose control period may be longer. The underlying condition should be addressed first, followed by gradual adjustment of glucose levels.