Dating With T1D In The App Era: When To Tell, What To Say + What To Bring

You’ve picked your best photos. You’ve rewritten your bio six times. Then a little voice pipes up: Do I mention my diabetes?

Dating is a lot. Dating with type 1 diabetes (T1D) adds extras—a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) on your arm, carb math at dinner and the chance of a low mid-conversation. If you’re hesitant about taking all of this on, you’re not alone. In a 2024 Abbott survey in the U.K., 58% of people with a health condition who use dating apps said they’d probably keep it to themselves. 

But dating apps are where a lot of happens now. According to Pew Research Center, 3 in 10 U.S. adults have used a dating site or app. Let’s talk about how to swipe with T1D on your own terms.

Should you mention type 1 diabetes in your dating profile?

Plenty of people don’t, and that’s totally fine. T1D is part of your story, not the headline.

If you do want to hint at it, keep it low-key. You may choose to crop your diabetes tech out of your photos or proudly leave them in. A CGM in a beach pic might even spark a conversation. Or drop it in casually, like “T1D, coffee snob, dog person.”

When should you tell a match about your type 1 diabetes?

There’s no hard rule about when you should tell someone you’re dating about your type 1 diabetes. It’s totally based on your comfort level. Sharing in the chat can be low pressure, and you’ll find out early if T1D is a dealbreaker. Or keep your devices under your clothes, get to know them first and share when you’re ready. If you go that route, keep your low supplies close and pay attention to your CGM alerts.

Let’s be real: T1D is a full-time job, so it’s normal if telling someone new feels like a big deal. But the conversation itself doesn’t have to be heavy. The more comfortable you are talking about it, the more comfortable your date will likely be. And if that comfort takes time to build, that’s okay.

And when you are ready to tell them, keep it simple: “Just so you know, I have type 1 diabetes. If you see me checking my phone at dinner, I’m probably checking my blood sugar.”

What if a date ghosts you after you tell them you live with T1D?

Unmatch and keep swiping. Yes, it stings, but someone who disappears over T1D just saved you a lot of time. 

What should you bring on a first date with type 1 diabetes?

• Low supplies: Fast-acting carbs like glucose tabs, gel or juice
• Your medical ID: It speaks for you if you can’t
• A plan for drinks: Alcohol can cause a low hours later, even overnight. So turn on your CGM low alert!

What should you do if your blood sugar goes low on a date?

Treat it right away. Your safety comes first. A low can also show you who someone really is. A few dates in with one guy, I felt a low coming on and asked for candy. He ran off, came back with a candy bar and stayed by my side until I felt better. Then came the questions: What should he watch for? How could he help? We dated for almost two years after that.

What are green flags and red flags when dating with type 1 diabetes?

Green flags

• They ask questions to understand, not to judge
• They’re cool with you taking insulin at the table
• They want to know what to do if you go low

Red flags

• “Should you be eating that?”
• Advice about curing diabetes with cinnamon
• Not listening

That last one happened to me. On a first date, after I’d already told him I have T1D, I pulled out my insulin pump to dose. He asked, “Who are you texting?” Um, my pancreas! There was no second date. (He kept texting me, though.)

How can you stay safe on dating apps with type 1 diabetes?

• Video chat first: Many apps have built-in calls, so your number stays private
• Keep the chat in the app: Move to texting once you trust them
• Meet somewhere public: Ideally with food nearby, in case you need fast carbs

One last thing: everyone’s carrying something, whether it’s a chronic condition, anxiety, family stuff or a rough breakup. Nobody shows up to a date perfect. You’re worth getting to know, T1D and all. So keep an open mind and swipe with confidence!

Want to talk dating with people who get it? Swap stories and first-date wins in the Beyond Type 1 Community Apps.