December 2022
Sometimes, the best gifts come from unexpected sources. Just a few weeks ago, the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new drug, teplizumab (brand name Tzield), for people age 8 and up who are at a high risk of developing type-1 diabetes based on the presence of certain autoantibodies. In pivotal trials, teplizumab protected beta cells enough to delay the onset of type-1 diabetes by an average of two to three years. Many of the high-risk individuals in the study never developed T1D, and for those who did, it helped make diabetes infinitely easier to manage. You’ll note the phrase “people who are at high risk”. There are studies underway to see if this drug offers any benefit to those who are recently-diagnosed. But if you or a loved one already have T1D, this isn’t meant for you. It has not been shown to benefit people with pre-existing diabetes, and there are certain side-effects involved. But don’t despair. We have a gift just for you. While I can’t give our services away (I still have college tuitions and a wedding to pay for!), I do want to make it as affordable for you as possible. So, despite runaway inflation (and the prodding of my bookkeeper and accountant), we are freezing our rates for the new year. And if things are tight for you and your family, we are more than happy to cut you a break and/or defer payments for any of our services. All you need to do is ask. So please, if there are any aspects of your diabetes management that need a tune-up or upgrade, please reach out. Nothing gives us greater pleasure than teaching, inspiring and empowering you to reach your goals. I hope you enjoy this year-end edition of Diabetes Bites. Be sure to check out our clinicians’ columns, the news articles, as well as the “fun stuff” towards the end. To you and yours from all of us at IDS, a Happy & Healthy Holiday Season! – Gary 
Gary Scheiner MS, CDE Owner & Clinical Director
A Holiday Gift… From the FDA?
Sometimes, the best gifts come from unexpected sources. Just a few weeks ago, the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new drug, teplizumab (brand name Tzield), for people age 8 and up who are at a high risk of developing type-1 diabetes based on the presence of certain autoantibodies. In pivotal trials, teplizumab protected beta cells enough to delay the onset of type-1 diabetes by an average of two to three years. Many of the high-risk individuals in the study never developed T1D, and for those who did, it helped make diabetes infinitely easier to manage. You’ll note the phrase “people who are at high risk”. There are studies underway to see if this drug offers any benefit to those who are recently-diagnosed. But if you or a loved one already have T1D, this isn’t meant for you. It has not been shown to benefit people with pre-existing diabetes, and there are certain side-effects involved. But don’t despair. We have a gift just for you. While I can’t give our services away (I still have college tuitions and a wedding to pay for!), I do want to make it as affordable for you as possible. So, despite runaway inflation (and the prodding of my bookkeeper and accountant), we are freezing our rates for the new year. And if things are tight for you and your family, we are more than happy to cut you a break and/or defer payments for any of our services. All you need to do is ask. So please, if there are any aspects of your diabetes management that need a tune-up or upgrade, please reach out. Nothing gives us greater pleasure than teaching, inspiring and empowering you to reach your goals. I hope you enjoy this year-end edition of Diabetes Bites. Be sure to check out our clinicians’ columns, the news articles, as well as the “fun stuff” towards the end. To you and yours from all of us at IDS, a Happy & Healthy Holiday Season! – Gary Gary Scheiner MS, CDE Owner & Clinical Director
