Living with type 1 diabetes can be isolating, especially if you don’t know anyone else who lives with the condition. One way to find inspiration is to learn about others with type 1 diabetes, and sometimes this includes celebrities.

American musician Nick Jonas is one famous young person who has been open about his diagnosis and his journey with type 1 diabetes. Now that he’s lived with it for almost 20 years, he has quite a few words of wisdom for young people who have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes — and for their parents, too. Here’s what you should know about Nick Jonas and what his diagnosis tells us.

Nick Jonas’ Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis

When Jonas was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 13, he was showing several common symptoms of the condition. Jonas, who is on TikTok as @nickjonas, said in a video that he remembered needing to urinate a lot, feeling exhausted, losing weight without any explanation, and experiencing excessive thirst. Looking back, he realized his blood glucose (blood sugar) must have been over 700 milligrams per deciliter for several weeks because of how much weight he lost.

Jonas also remembers having a bad attitude, which was out of the ordinary for him even though he was a teenager, and cramping regularly. These can be indirect signs of type 1 diabetes in some people.

To make matters even more complicated, Jonas and his brothers were touring as the Jonas Brothers. It was early in their career, so they were playing concerts in venues like middle schools across the country. However, once Jonas and his parents realized he needed medical care, he underwent some tests and was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in a doctor’s office.

What Came Next

At first, Jonas was devastated. He had hoped to play music around the world, and he was afraid those hopes were dashed. He also saw how upset his parents were, which made the news even harder for him. Finally, he asked himself over and over how the diagnosis could happen to him and if he’d done anything to cause it.

Once his health was stable, Jonas went right back to work. He was resolved that type 1 diabetes wouldn’t stop him. Between his own determination and his support system, the Jonas Brothers made it big, and he found all the success he and his brothers wanted.

Managing Type 1 Diabetes On the Road

That’s not to say that Jonas hasn’t had his ups and downs with type 1 diabetes. When asked what he wished he’d known from the beginning, Jonas told Beyond Type 1, a nonprofit he cofounded, “The thing I wish I knew was that not every day was going to be perfect. There are going to be days that are tougher than others and it’s just important not to get down on yourself. It’s a journey. And if you can take a deep breath in those tough moments and allow yourself to have a beat to reset, then it’s going to be OK.”

He noted that it was particularly hard when he became famous and got older. He began drinking alcohol and staying out late. During that period, he had to learn how to prioritize his own health, keep track of his blood glucose levels, and say no to activities that would make him sick.

What Happens on Tour?

A special setup helps Jonas manage type 1 diabetes when he's performing. He has a drawer backstage where he keeps his emergency supplies, like glucagon, and supplies for his continuous glucose meter (CGM). The CGM is connected to his phone, so he can check his blood sugar level quickly at any time.

Jonas notes that his blood sugar can spike during a performance because of the adrenaline surge, so he stays on top of what he eats every day. He also keeps supplies onstage in case he experiences hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels) during a concert. His pineapple juice and fruit snacks are never far away.

Type 1 Diabetes and Family Life

Jonas’ family has always been a source of support for him. His parents supported him from the time of his diagnosis and still do. Now he uses an app to share his blood sugar numbers with his wife or one of his brothers, just in case something happens and he can’t care for himself.

He’s learned to communicate about his condition, too. If his numbers are high and he knows he’s irritable, he tells loved ones to come back in a few minutes, when he’s more stable. This helps avoid unnecessary conflict.

Jonas recently became a father, and he said that it makes him think of type 1 diabetes differently. He wonders, for instance, what it will be like to explain the condition to his daughter. He’s also on the lookout for symptoms in her — she may be more likely to be diagnosed because her dad has type 1 diabetes.

Nick Jonas and Type 1 Diabetes Advocacy

Beyond Type 1 is dedicated to changing what it means to live with type 1 diabetes. The organization works to educate people about the condition, advocate for issues involving type 1 diabetes, and take strides toward a cure. Recently, the nonprofit expanded to include programs for people living with type 2 diabetes.

Jonas has been open about his own journey with type 1 diabetes since he wrote “A Little Bit Longer” in 2008, but he’s been doing more interviews about the condition during the past few years. He also stashes guitar picks in his pockets to hand out to fans who’ve also been diagnosed with diabetes.

Overall, Jonas is working hard to make lives better for others in the diabetes community. He enjoys his work in policy and takes the opportunity to showcase the stories of people from all walks of life who live and thrive with type 1 diabetes. Jonas’ diagnosis, his diabetes journey, and his advocacy make it clear that being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes doesn’t signal the end of an active, satisfying life.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On myT1Dteam, the social network for people with type 1 diabetes and their loved ones, more than 3,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with type 1 diabetes.

Are you inspired or encouraged when you hear that someone like Nick Jonas also lives with type 1 diabetes? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.