DIABETES NEWS : Type 1 game-changing diabetes drug AND Have you seen Type 1 Diabetes Barbie?

Todays post shares two stories concerning Type 1 Diabetes

1) UK Mother treated with game-changing diabetes drug

A Devon woman is one of the first adults in the UK to trial what medics call a groundbreaking drug for type 1 diabetes.

The new drug, Teplizumab, works by reprogramming the immune system to stop it mistakenly attacking pancreatic cells which produce insulin.

This drug has already been approved by regulators in the USA... see article here

It is said to delay the need for insulin by up to three years, but must be given at the earliest stage of the disease to be effective.

Hannah Robinson, 36, from Exeter, who is taking the drug after discovering during pregnancy she was in the early stages of developing type 1 diabetes, said she felt "very privileged" to be part of the trial.

About 4.6m people in the UK have diabetes, with more than 270,000 living with type 1, according to the NHS.

There is currently no cure and most need daily insulin to manage blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of complications.

Targets underlying problem

Some children are also being treated with the drug across the UK.

In type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks beta cells in the pancreas, hindering their ability to produce insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels.

Teplizumab trains the immune system to stop attacking these cells, delaying the need for insulin by up to three years, according to medics.

Dr Nick Thomas, the diabetes consultant treating Ms Robinson at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (RD&E), said Teplizumab was the first therapy "which actually targets the underlying problem".

However, it must be given at the earliest stage of the disease to be effective.

Experts at the RD&E and the University of Exeter are leading research that includes using genetics combined with autoantibody testing to spot individuals at high risk of developing type 1 diabetes.

This means they can be monitored and potentially offered the drug if eligible, transforming the way type 1 diabetes is managed, they said.

The research is supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

Prof Richard Oram, from the University of Exeter and consultant physician at the RD&E, said the trial of the new drug was "extremely exciting and motivating".

"Here in Exeter, we are undertaking cutting-edge clinical research to help us find more people at risk and discover how we can prevent them from developing type 1 diabetes," he said.

Teplizumab is approved in the United States and is currently under review by the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

The drug is not yet routinely available in the UK and the team at the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was granted special permission to treat Ms Robinson with the new medication.

The mother-of-two said it would be incredible to find a cure for type 1 diabetes.

Above from article seen here

You may have already seen the news about Type 1 Diabetes Barbie

2) Breakthrough T1D and Mattel have partnered to debut the first Barbie® doll with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

This groundbreaking global collaboration reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that the millions of people living with T1D are seen, heard, and empowered.

Barbie was thoughtfully created with input from the type 1 diabetes community, ensuring the lived experience of T1D was fully represented.

Her features include:

• A blue polka dot top and matching skirt—a nod to the global symbols that represent diabetes awareness
• An insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor (CGM). To keep her CGM in place, she has heart-shaped medical tape—Barbie pink, of course!
• A phone that displays a CGM app to help Barbie track her blood sugar levels throughout the day
• A purse for Barbie to carry her T1D supplies and low carb snacks when she’s on the go

You can read more here

What is type 1 diabetes?

• People with the condition have to closely monitor their blood sugar level and take insulin to control it because their body cannot do this automatically
• That is because insulin-producing cells in the pancreas are mistakenly destroyed by the body's immune system
• It occurs in children and adults, but the causes are not fully known and there is currently no cure

About 8.7 million people have type 1 diabetes worldwide. In the UK the condition affects 400,000 people, including more than 29,000 children.

You can read more about Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes here

Dear reader, you will find a variety of articles, studies etc. plus recent news/views and recipe ideas within this blog, something for everyone to read and enjoy...

But please note, articles within this blog are provided for general information only and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor, pharmacist or any other health care professional.

Not all recipes within this blog may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic (more about this here) and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter. If you have any concerns about your health, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or health care team.

All the best Jan