Nick Jonas shares what living with type 1 diabetes for 21 years has taught him

Nick Jonas pic via Instagram

Nick Jonas is opening up about the side of living with diabetes that fans rarely see. The singer, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at just 13, has completed 21 years of managing the condition. In a personal letter, he has described the constant monitoring, difficult decisions and emotional challenges that come with it, while sharing why he wants others with diabetes to feel less alone.

Nick Jonas shares emotional letter about diabetes

As part of Dexcom's ‘A Letter to Diabetes' campaign for National Diabetes Awareness Month, Jonas wrote about how the condition has become a constant part of his everyday life. He revealed that he checks his glucose levels every few minutes and uses an insulin pump to calculate doses around meals. He described these small but frequent tasks as "hundreds of little decisions" that most people never notice.

Nick Jonas also admitted that the condition can be unpredictable, even when he follows his routine carefully. He wrote that while he has learned important lessons over the years, there are still days when he wonders what life would be like without diabetes.

Why Nick Jonas wants to share his experience

The singer said speaking openly about his diagnosis helped him connect with others who were going through similar experiences. He recalled feeling misunderstood while growing up and said finding a community of people living with type 1 diabetes gave him a sense of belonging. "I share my story for the 13-year-old who just got diagnosed and is lying in a hospital bed, scared to death," he wrote, explaining that he wants young patients to see that they can still pursue their dreams.

What is type 1 diabetes?

According to the US National Institutes of Health, type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the body's immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. People with the condition need daily insulin to manage their blood sugar levels. Nick Jonas has previously spoken about using an insulin pump and regularly checking his blood sugar. In a 2023 interview with STAT, he recalled being diagnosed in 2005 after experiencing weight loss and fatigue. He said he returned to performing shortly after his hospital stay.