How an early type 1 diabetes diagnosis shaped one person’s future
(BPT) - Sponsored by Sanofi
Like so many people, Caroline Harrison always thought type 1 diabetes (T1D) was a juvenile disease. That's why she felt so relieved when she entered her 20s, because she thought she was no longer at risk - despite having a family history. The truth is that T1D can impact anyone at any age. And for Caroline, her journey with T1D was only just beginning.
"I was sitting for lunch with my supervisor, who's a healthcare provider, and mentioned casually that my father lives with T1D," Caroline explained. Armed with the knowledge that family history can increase the risk of developing T1D by up to 15 times, Caroline's supervisor encouraged her to get screened for T1D as soon as possible. "Thankfully, I listened to the advice," Caroline continues. "Shortly after screening, I received a call that changed my life: I was at risk."
Navigating early-stage T1D
Caroline's screening and follow-up blood sugar results showed that she was in Stage 1 of T1D - the first of three stages. "Initially, I was shocked. But looking back, I'm so relieved that I found out about my diagnosis in an early stage, instead of in Stage 3 when serious complications can arise and insulin dependence eventually begins," Caroline shared. "If I didn't have that conversation with my supervisor, I never would have taken the next step and gotten screened for T1D. I'm grateful that she knew family history was a risk factor and urged me to be proactive about my health by screening for T1D."
After receiving her screening results, Caroline took the time to learn more about T1D, and eventually, she found out about TZIELD (teplizumab-mzwv), the first and only prescription medication indicated to delay the onset of Stage 3 T1D for people 8 years and older who have Stage 2 T1D. While she wouldn't have been eligible at the time of her initial diagnosis, it gave Caroline hope to know that a treatment existed that may be able to help her delay the onset of insulin-dependent T1D in the future, once her T1D progressed to Stage 2.
For Important Safety Information including possible side effects please see below. You can learn more about TZIELD at tzield.com.
"Before learning about TZIELD, I felt this incredible sense of dread. It made me feel like a 'sitting duck,' waiting for my T1D to progress. But once I learned that TZIELD might be an option for me once I progressed to Stage 2, I felt empowered knowing there might one day be something I can do to delay the onset of insulin-dependent T1D."
Caroline's care team continued to monitor the progression of her T1D. After progressing from Stage 1 to Stage 2 and working with her doctor to confirm that she was an eligible candidate for TZIELD, Caroline began treatment.
The impact of early-stage T1D detection
An early-stage diagnosis can give individuals the opportunity to prepare for what's next and understand their options. As Caroline noted, "Learning that TZIELD might be an option for me once I progressed to Stage 2 T1D had a huge impact on how I felt about my diagnosis. Now that I've received TZIELD, I'm thrilled to have the opportunity for more time to do the things I love without worrying about 24/7 disease management, which comes along with Stage 3 T1D. The chance to navigate my earliest years with T1D without being immediately thrown into symptomatic disease management has been invaluable."
If you detect T1D at the right time (i.e., Stage 2), TZIELD may be an option. Take the first step and talk to your doctor to see if TZIELD is right for you. Learn more at tzield.com and read the prescribing information and medication guide.
The most common side effects of TZIELD include rash, leukopenia (decrease in white blood cell counts), and headache. These are not all the possible side effects of TZIELD.
The experience is unique to Caroline and individual results may vary.
Caroline is a TZIELD Brand Ambassador.
Sanofi does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment - information is provided for educational purposes only. Your doctor is the best source of health information. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about your health or treatment.
Important Safety Information and Approved Use
What is TZIELD?
TZIELD is a prescription medicine used to delay the onset of Stage 3 type 1 diabetes, which is when your body can't make enough insulin on its own and may require insulin injections. TZIELD is for adults and children 8 years of age and older who have Stage 2 type 1 diabetes.This means that they have tested positive for 2 or more type 1 diabetes-related autoantibodies, have abnormal blood sugar levels, and do not have type 2 diabetes.
It is not known if TZIELD is safe and effective in children under 8 years of age.
What is the most important information I should know about TZIELD?
TZIELD may cause serious side effects. These include:
- Cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Signs and symptoms may start during the first 5 days of TZIELD treatment and could include fever, nausea, feeling tired (fatigue), headache, muscle and joint pain, or increased liver enzymes in your blood. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop any signs and symptoms of CRS during treatment with TZIELD
- Decrease in white blood cells. TZIELD may cause a decrease in a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes. A decrease in white blood cells is a serious, but common side effect that can affect your body's ability to fight infections. A decrease in white blood cell counts can happen after your first dose. Your white blood cell counts will start to go back to normal after your fifth dose of TZIELD. Some people may develop longer and more severe decreases in lymphocytes
Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your liver and your complete blood counts before you start treatment and during treatment with TZIELD. During and after your treatment with TZIELD, your healthcare provider will check for serious side effects, as well as other side effects, and treat you as needed. Your healthcare provider may temporarily or completely stop your treatment with TZIELD, if you develop liver problems, have a serious infection, or if your blood counts stay too low.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before receiving TZIELD? Before or after receiving TZIELD, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:
- have a serious infection or an infection that does not go away or keeps coming back
- have recently received or are scheduled to receive an immunization (vaccine). TZIELD may affect how well a vaccine works. Tell your doctor that you are receiving TZIELD before receiving a vaccine
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. TZIELD may harm your unborn baby. Do not receive TZIELD during pregnancy and at least 30 days before a planned pregnancy
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if TZIELD passes into your breast milk and if it can harm your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you receive TZIELD
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take,including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What are the possible side effects of TZIELD? The most common side effects of TZIELD include:
- rash
- leukopenia (decrease in white blood cell counts)
- headache
These are not all of the possible side effects of TZIELD. Talk to your healthcare provider for more information, and tell them about any side effects you notice. You may report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please click on the links to see Medication Guide and Prescribing Information.
Source: BrandPoint
