From TIME · Nick Jonas · · 2m
Diabetes doesn't have to be a shock
A man diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 13 explains why early detection matters and how families can prepare.
In brief
A man diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 13 explains why early detection matters and how families can prepare. Early blood tests can detect type 1 and type 2 diabetes before symptoms appear, giving families time to prepare instead of facing crisis diagnosis. Originally reported by TIME.
A sudden diagnosis at 13
The author lost nearly 25 pounds in two weeks, felt constantly thirsty, and had regular cramps. A pediatrician told him he had type 1 diabetes, shocking both him and his family.
“You have type 1 diabetes.”
No family history, no warning
Ninety percent of people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes have no family history. The author's family, like many others, had no idea they were at risk.
“90% of people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes have no family history.”
Crisis at diagnosis is common
Research shows that up to 40% of young people in the U.S. with type 1 diabetes arrive at diagnosis in diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA, a serious, life-threatening complication.
“up to 40% of young people in the U.S. with the condition arrive at diagnosis in diabetic ketoacidosis”
What early detection could mean
Early detection would not have changed the author's diagnosis but could have changed how and when his family learned about it.
Misconceptions create blind spots
Assumptions about age, weight, lifestyle, and family history shape who people think is at risk. These misconceptions create stigma that discourages people from getting tested and finding support.
Why the author co-founded Beyond Type 1
In 2015, the author co-founded the nonprofit Beyond Type 1 to change how diabetes is seen and understood, build community, and help create a world where diabetes doesn't limit a person's life.
How to detect diabetes early
A simple blood test can detect type 1 diabetes before symptoms appear by looking for autoantibodies. For type 2 diabetes, regular blood sugar checks, including an A1C test, can help catch high blood sugar early.
The toll on the whole family
Type 1 diabetes affects not just the person diagnosed but the entire family. Constant monitoring, food calculations, and technology management create diabetes burnout that evolves over time for everyone involved.
The first step: talk to your doctor
Families should ask their doctor if they are at risk and what signs to look out for. Screening options exist that make sense for each family, and early knowledge gives time to prepare.
“you don't have to wait for diabetes to announce itself”
What to remember
Early blood tests can detect type 1 and type 2 diabetes before symptoms appear, giving families time to prepare instead of facing crisis diagnosis.
