Nick Jonas praises fans for helping him feel like he's 'not alone' following diabetes diagnosis

Singer was diagnosed with disease at 13

Nick Jonas has said that being open with his fans about his diabetes diagnosis has helped him feel less alone.

In 2007, the singer revealed he was diagnosed with a severe form of type 1 diabetes – a condition that causes the level of glucose in your blood to become too high – at the age of 13.

Now 27, Jonas has explained how crucial his fans have been in helping him realise that there are other people experiencing the same struggle.

“The fact that I get to be open and honest about this with my fans helps me actually feel like I'm not alone,” Jonas said in an interview with Insider.

“That's been something they've told me quite a bit, that just me sharing my story helped them feel like they were less alone, and that's the win.“

Jonas added that his goal his to help people feel more “connected” and as thought there is someone “we can lean on in troubling or tough times”.

This isn’t the first time the singer has spoken publicly about his diagnosis.

In 2008, Jonas released a song with the Jonas Brothers – a band comprised of himself and siblings Joe Jonas and Kevin Jonas – called “A Little Bit Longer” which was inspired by diabetes.

In a press conference at the time, Jonas explained his motivations for writing the "life song", saying: "I had a day when my sugar was out of range, and I sat down at the piano and wrote it in 20 minutes.

“And it was because I had this strong inspiration. A lot of people have told me it's inspiring.”

In 2018, the star shared an Instagram post about how he’s managed to live a healthy life while making sure that his blood sugar levels are closely monitored.

Alongside two side-by-side photos of him, one taken just weeks after his diagnosis and one more recent, he wrote: “13 years ago today I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

”The picture on the left is me a few weeks after my diagnosis. Barely 100 pounds after having lost so much weight from my blood sugar being so high before going to the doctor where I would find out I was diabetic.

“On the right is me now. Happy and healthy. Prioritising my physical health, working out and eating healthy and keeping my blood sugar in check.”

Other high-profile figures who have type 1 diabetes include actor Halle Berry and former UK Prime Minister Theresa May.

May recently revealed that the insulin she uses to treat her diabetes comes from the EU, which is why she feels particularly strongly about people in the UK being able to access medicine should the UK leave the EU without a Brexit deal.

“I know that this is an issue that is a matter of importance to people and that the Department of Health is ensuring that it is taking all the steps,” she said on LBC radio.