How self-advocacy changed the trajectory of one man’s T1D journey
(BPT) - Sponsored by Sanofi
As an active adult, John Boyce works hard to make empowering choices that positively impact his health. That's why he was blindsided when his doctor diagnosed him with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Knowing that T2D is influenced by lifestyle factors, John went all in on his efforts to control the metabolic disease by monitoring his diet and exercise.
"Despite my best efforts, my glucose levels were still high, which set off alarm bells. In my gut, I knew I needed to get a second opinion," John explained.
After speaking with another doctor, John's suspicions were confirmed: He actually had Stage 2 type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease that progresses in stages and is not caused by lifestyle factors at all. Almost immediately, John set out to learn more about T1D and what his options were for the road ahead. That's when he learned about TZIELD(teplizumab-mzwv) - a prescription medication indicated to delay the onset of Stage 3 T1D for people 8 years and older who have Stage 2 T1D.
Despite the surprising nature of his diagnosis, John wasn't going to let his diagnosis stop him from doing anything he could to put his health first. Learn more about his journey with TZIELD and how self-advocacy helped give him the chance to delay the onset of insulin-dependent T1D.
The opportunity for more time
After working with an endocrinologist to determine if he was a candidate for TZIELD, John began the treatment process. "During that period, my wife and I were starting our family, and I was swamped with work. It wasn't an ideal time for me to consider starting insulin if my T1D advanced to Stage 3; the fact that taking TZIELD meant I had a chance to delay, made the decision easy for me," John shared.
Instead of worrying about the realities of insulin-dependent T1D, John was able to dedicate his time to thoroughly understanding the disease, including working with a nutritionist to grasp the roles of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins in one's diet. As John noted, "more time gave me the opportunity to make sure I was prepared to effectively manage the disease and my blood glucose levels."
Progressing to Stage 3 T1D is not a matter of if, but when. For John, TZIELD gave him the chance for more time to work with his healthcare team to plan the road ahead.
As John shared, "My early T1D diagnosis and subsequent treatment with TZIELD gave me the opportunity to prepare for life with Stage 3 T1D, including working closely with my doctors to prepare for what's next. It's always been important to me to be proactive when it comes to my health, and I'm grateful that I didn't have to sacrifice that in this journey."
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.
This experience is unique to John and individual results may vary.
John 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.
For Important Safety Information including possible side effects please see below. You can learn more about TZIELD at tzield.com.
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 see Medication Guide and Prescribing Information.
Source: BrandPoint
