Living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) can sometimes be hard work. Especially when you or your loved one has just been diagnosed, there are often hurdles that need to be overcome and many questions that need to be answered.
Diagnosis – getting to grips with type 1 diabetes
You may find the first couple of weeks are the worst as you come to terms with injecting insulin and pricking fingers to do blood checks. There’s a lot of information to take in about how to manage diabetes – counting carbohydrates, understanding the precautions to take when exercising, how to recognise and treat a hypo… the list goes on. We’ve created this guide to help you with these challenges.
Looking for more in-depth resources? Visit our Guides & Resources Hub, or download our free guide for adults with T1D: Straight to the Point.
Diabetes explained
Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune condition that can develop at any age. There is nothing anyone can do to prevent T1D, and right now there is no known cure.
Provided below are resources about type 1 diabetes (also known as T1D, juvenile diabetes, type 1 diabetes mellitus or insulin-dependent diabetes).
Quick guide to type 1 diabetes
Frequently asked questions and fast facts about T1D.
What is type 1 diabetes?
Learn more about type 1 diabetes in detail.
Complications and what to expect
Common health complications and how to manage them
Managing type 1 diabetes
It’s a big change, but people with type 1 diabetes can live long, full and happy lives. Advances in medication and technology make life easier, safer and better.
Managing type 1 diabetes involves three main steps: Checking blood sugar, administering insulin, and counting carbohydrates.
Guide to T1D management and care
Find information and support on how to manage your blood glucose levels, count carbs, and deal with hypos and hypers.
Tips to help organise prescriptions and consumables
Managing your supplies is an important part of life with type 1 diabetes. Here are some pointers to help.
About T1D treatment & technology
Understand the roles of insulin and blood glucose levels in your treatment plan.
T1D technology: video explainers
Find out about the different types of technology that helps you manage type 1 diabetes.
Your healthcare team
Living successfully with type 1 diabetes (T1D) requires you to be fully in control of your diabetes management. But it certainly doesn’t mean you’re on your own – there are a number of healthcare professionals who can help you manage your T1D and care for yourself.
Your healthcare professionals
There are many healthcare professionals who can help you manage your T1D – here's a guide to your helping hand.
About credentialled diabetes educators
CDEs can support and empower you to successfully manage your diabetes.
What T1D checkups will I need, and when?
Who you need to see and when – including a helpful checklist.
Community & emotional support
Finding the balance between supporting your mental health and T1D is something that may take time as you find your new rhythm, but you’ll get there. We have so many resources to help.
Accessing mental health services
Diabetes can make life feel frustrating and unforgiving – we shouldn’t overlook the emotional, social, and psychological ties T1D and mental health have to each other.
Dealing with burnout

The day-to-day effort to manage T1D can become hard and frustrating. Here's how to get back on track.
Coping with a T1D diagnosis
When you were told you had T1D, you probably felt as if your world had been turned upside down. Over time you will learn how to fit diabetes into your life — here's how.
Find community and peer support
Access private T1D Facebook groups, communities, and peer support.
Work & relationships
Managing relationships while also managing type 1 diabetes, whether in education environments, at work, or in your personal life, can add an extra layer of challenges. Here’s how to navigate them.
Disclosing your T1D at work
Your decision about whether or not to disclose your T1D to your employer or colleagues is personal. Here's what to consider.
Job hunting with T1D
Things to consider while job hunting with T1D
Financial support
Most families who have a child diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) will experience an impact on their finances.
This may be through loss of income or day-to-day costs that T1D incurs.
Financial impacts and assistance for T1D
Financial assistance is available in a variety of forms – get to know the impacts and support.
Check your eligibility for the Insulin Pump Program
Find out whether you're eligible for equipment via the Insulin Pump Program and the steps involved for access
Staying healthy
Yes, some things will change as a result of your T1D diagnosis, but not everything.
So many great things about life will remain the same, and you’ll enjoy them just as you did before. Here are resources to help you understand more about making some adjustments to your lifestyle.
Food and nutrition for T1D
Learning about nutrition is an important part of managing your T1D and your overall health.
Exercising with T1D
Find out why exercise is especially important for people with T1D, tips for dealing with high and low blood glucose levels, and advice on safely starting to exercise
How to minimise or prevent health issues
Small steps each day can help to prevent, delay, or minimise diabetes-linked health issues.
Everyday life
Having type 1 diabetes (T1D) should never hold you back from living your best life. Find advice on work, travelling, and socialising with T1D.
Driving and T1D: what you need to know
You absolutely can get a driver’s licence if you have T1D. But there are rules and restrictions that need to be adhered to.
Dining out with T1D
Our top tips for eating out with diabetes without overthinking it.
Alcohol and T1D
You can drink alcohol while living with T1D, but there are things you need to keep in mind to stay safe.
How to navigate travel with T1D
With a little preparation, you’ll have peace of mind that you’ll be able to tackle travel.
Guides and resources on living everyday life with T1D
Our guides & resources hub is brimming with helpful information on living your best life with T1D.
Looking for more guidance on your T1D diagnosis?
Free download
Straight to the Point is your comprehensive guide to living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) as an adult. Written by healthcare professionals and our community members, this free book is packed with tips and advice to help you live a safer, easier, and happier life with T1D.
