What is autoimmune type 1 diabetes (T1D)?
Facts about T1D and what’s happening in the body
Understanding the basics of T1D
T1D is a lifelong, progressive, autoimmune disease in which the body can no longer make enough insulin to regulate blood sugar and daily insulin injections are needed. If not properly managed, T1D can lead to complications that may require emergency hospitalization.
A common misconception is that T1D affects mostly children, but anyone at any age can develop T1D. In fact, ~60% of new T1D diagnoses occur after the age of 20
A family history of T1D and certain autoimmune diseases are the 2 most important risk factors for developing T1D
T1D develops gradually and often has no visible signs or symptoms in its early stages; you may not even know it’s happening
T1D vs T2D: The differences matter
Did you know that over 40% of adults with T1D over age 30 were initially diagnosed as having T2D?
Abnormal blood sugar is a symptom that appears in both T1D and T2D, but they have important differences. Knowing which is which can help ensure the right diagnosis and treatment plan.
Key facts about T1D
- An autoimmune disease that is not preventable
- Less common than T2D, but diagnoses are increasing
- The body can’t make enough insulin naturally
- Cannot be prevented or cured by diet, exercise, or any known treatment
- Cannot be diagnosed by blood glucose tests alone
Key facts about T2D
- A metabolic disease that may be preventable
- The most common type of diabetes
- The body is unable to use insulin properly
- Can sometimes be avoided or improved by lifestyle changes like diet and exercise
- Typically diagnosed by blood glucose tests
What happens in your body when you have T1D
Insulin is essential for converting food to energy in the body and for regulating blood sugar. It is made and released into the body by special cells in the pancreas called beta cells. But in T1D, the immune system mistakenly attacks beta cells, reducing your body’s natural ability to produce insulin. Over time, the body can no longer produce insulin on its own.
Without insulin, blood sugar levels become too high, causing symptoms as well as potentially serious complications.
As many as 62% of people are unaware that they have T1D until they experience an emergency that requires hospitalization.
Autoantibodies are the key to spotting T1D early
T1D autoantibodies are signals that show up in the blood when the immune system attacks insulin-producing beta cells. Testing positive for multiple autoantibodies may indicate that T1D is already progressing in the body even if symptoms are not present. But through autoantibody (AAb) screening, it’s possible to detect T1D early, before symptoms appear and before it becomes an emergency.
Take control of what’s next
AAb screening is a blood test that is not included in annual blood work. If you have an increased risk for T1D, screening is a powerful first step that can reduce your risk of sudden complications from undiagnosed T1D and potentially open the door to treatment.
3 stages of T1D
In progressive diseases like T1D, stages indicate how far a condition has advanced. Tracking a disease over time can help guide next steps.
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
The body can’t make enough insulin on its own
T1D is often diagnosed in stage 3 when a DKA event results in emergency hospitalization
A complication of T1D:
diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
DKA is a potential medical emergency where the blood becomes acidic as a result of not having enough insulin in the body. DKA can happen without warning and, if not addressed in time, can lead to complications that could require hospitalization.
It’s important to know the signs of DKA:
There are no data to suggest that TZIELD will have any effect on these outcomes.
† Vomiting can be caused by many illnesses, not just ketoacidosis. If vomiting continues for more than 2 hours, contact your healthcare provider.
Screen for T1D autoantibodies and seize your WH:EN
WH:EN is an opportunity to reshape the journey with T1D—and it starts with screening.
Learn about screeningTZIELD is a treatment for autoimmune T1D
Managing T1D is no longer just about waiting for symptoms to appear. The Patient Brochure is a helpful resource for learning more about T1D and how TZIELD can help delay the onset of insulin-dependent (Stage 3) T1D in patients 8 years and older with Stage 2 T1D.
Download the Patient Brochure
Important Safety Information and Approved Use
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.
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.
Important Safety Information and Approved Use
- 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.
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.