Former EastEnders star Jonny Labey says medical diagnosis was ‘overwhelming’ after hospital dash

thesun.co.uk:

EX-EASTENDERS star Jonny Labey has opened up about his diabetes diagnosis and how he hopes to inspire others with the condition.

The TV and theatre actor was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes as a a teenager. The chronic condition means the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin to support the body, meaning sugar doesn’t enter the cells and produce energy needed to function.

As Jonny, best known for playing Paul Coker on EastEnders, prepares to perform his new show Top Hat, the 29-year-old revealed the scary moment he realised he was sick and needed help.  "It was during the GCSE stresses and apart from a general lack of sleep from exams, I was unexplainably tired and felt that no matter how much or quickly I drank, I'd still be thirsty,” he told The Sun Online.  “So, I got tested as I measured my blood on my Grandad's monitor and it was 26.6, which is dangerously low, so I went immediately to hospital - and the rest is history!"  "It was very cautiously measured in the beginning, but didn't have too much of an effect apart from the occasional realisation moment.

It was overwhelming at times, but so long ago that I don't remember." Officially diagnosed at 15, Jonny admits his biggest fears were about how it could potentially stall his career as a performer.