Figure 3: At the time of diagnosis of T2DM patients already have a 50% reduction in beta cell function. As one moves through the various stages-phases there is a progressive loss of beta cell function while concurrently there is increased deposition of amylin derived islet amyloid. If treatment were started at an earlier stage in the natural history of T2DM (Stage III: impaired glucose tolerance or “prediabetes”) in a manner to control elevated glucose levels without elevating endogenous insulin or the monomeric substrate amylin then it may be possible to halt the progressive nature of T2DM. (Redrawn from Lebovitz HE [31]).