In managing diabetes, what is the primary goal of glycemic control?

The primary goal of glycemic control in managing diabetes is to reduce the risk of complications. This is fundamental because uncontrolled diabetes can lead to a range of serious complications, including cardiovascular disease, nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy. Effective glycemic control helps to minimize these risks by maintaining blood glucose levels within a target range, thus preventing damage to organs and systems over time.

While achieving normal fasting glucose levels is important and contributes to overall control, it is not the sole objective; rather, it's about managing levels effectively to safeguard long-term health. Maintaining weight can be part of a holistic approach to diabetes management, but it is not directly tied to the goal of glycemic control itself. As for eliminating all medication, this is not a realistic or safe goal for many individuals with diabetes, as most will require some level of pharmacological intervention to maintain adequate glycemic control. Therefore, focusing on complication reduction encapsulates the overarching purpose of sustaining glycemic control.