What if you could see a life-altering diagnosis coming years before the first symptom appeared?

In Episode 83 of Think Like a Pancreas—The Podcast, host Gary Scheiner is joined by Steve Zortman, Sanofi Screening Ambassador and Jessica Dunne, PhD, Type 1 Diabetes Medical Director at Sanofi to examine both the emotional and scientific sides of type 1 diabetes (T1D) autoantibody screening.

From the harrowing ER visit that left Steve’s family "blindsided" to the empowering, managed diagnosis of a sibling, this episode explores how science is shifting T1D from a medical emergency to a manageable journey.

Whether you have a family history or are just curious about the future of autoimmune health, this conversation is your roadmap to advocating for yourself and your loved ones.

Gary Scheiner, MS, CDCES is the owner and Clinical Director of Integrated Diabetes Services. He is an award-winning Certified Diabetes Educator, Masters-level Exercise Physiologist and person with type-1 diabetes since 1985. Gary is also actively involved with many diabetes related organizations as a volunteer and clinical advisor.

Steve Zortman is a Sanofi Screening Ambassador, husband and father of three. Steve and two of his children all live with type 1 diabetes. Upon the diagnosis of his first child, Steve began the journey to become a diabetes nurse educator.

Jessica Dunne, PhD is a trained scientist with over two decades of experience in translational research, clinical development, and advocacy. As a Medical Director for autoimmune type 1 diabetes at Sanofi, her role includes translating the science behind diabetes so that more people understand how screening can impact their T1D journey and advocate for it in their own lives.

✔️Why up to 62% of people don’t know that they have Type 1 Diabetes until they are in a life-threatening state of Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

✔️How proactive diabetes-related autoantibody screening can improve mental and physical outcomes.

✔️The role of antibody testing in ensuring a proper diabetes diagnosis the first time.

00:00 The unpredictability of a type 1 diabetes diagnosis.

01:38 Meet the guests.

05:42 Riley’s diagnosis story.

07:50 To screen or not to screen? Addressing the fear.

11:15 Challenges faced by mis-diagnosed adults.

15:46 Understanding the science behind type 1 diabetes screening.

20:15 Who should be screened for diabetes antibodies?

24:46 The power of positive and negative test results.

To Screen or Not To Screen Your Family Members for Type 1 Diabetes – Integrated Diabetes Services

Getting Screened for Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes – Integrated Diabetes Services

Risk Assessment and Resources from Screen For Type 1 – Sanofi

🔵Website: integrateddiabetes.com

🔵 Follow on Social Media: @integrated_diabetes_services and @ integrateddiabetesservices on Facebook

🔵To work with the Integrated Diabetes Services Team , visit https://integrateddiabetes.com/how-to-start-the-process/ ,  or email [email protected]

If the podcast has helped you to live better with diabetes, please tell someone else how to find it! If you have a question, take a moment and ask! We reply to everyone. And then be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform to ensure that you never miss an episode!

Disclaimer

The information contained in this program is based on the experience and opinions of the Integrated Diabetes Services clinical team. Please discuss any changes to your treatment plan with your personal healthcare provider before implementing.

This episode is sponsored by Sanofi.