• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Type 1 Heat And High Blood Sugars

Blinks

Blinks

Newbie
Messages
3
Type of diabetes
Type 1
The last few weeks when the weather has been up in the high 20's my blood sugar has been shooting sky high and ketones have been going high with it (up to 1.3 today but managed to get it down). I can't put it down to what I'm eating as I'm eating nothing different, not missing insulin with meals and not feeling poorly so at a loss, any ideas guys?
 
check that your insulin has not got too warm. heat affects it and makes it not work. try a new insulin out of the fridge. see if that helps.
 
I always need less insulin when its warms like they say it could just be a dodgy insulin pen or make sure your injecting in different areas of the body that can effect how it works
 
Hi @Blinks,
I agree with @Davie_sett. Warm to hot weather seems to improve insulin sensitivity in me,( or is it that insulin gets absorbed better in warm skin) . Regarding your high blood sugar troubles, Please consider:
1) Recommended temperature for insulin stored in fridge is 2 to 8 degrees C - if the thermostat in your fridge has been reset to make the fridge cooler maybe some or all of your insulin has been frozen and thus rendered inactive
2) in summertime temperatures say in a parked car can be well above 30 degrees C. Insulin kept for use outside the fridge is said to be active for about 30 days if kept below 30 degrees C - so insulin inactivated by heat might be a cause.
1) and 2) rely on information on the leaflet in with your insulin, you may have to obtain a new batch of insulin from the chemist if you think 1) applies, and try a new batch from the fridge if you think 2) applies.
3) increased stress and worry will push blood sugars up
4) inactivity, if you are used to some walking or other exercise at work and are now on holidays, and taking it easy, your insulin doses are not going to be as effective as usual.
5) some underlying infection ? feet, urine etc ( after a vaccination, cold/'flu ) will cause blood sugars to rise - please see your doctor if this might be the case (5) and also see him/her for 3) or 1) for a new script, consult with nurse about 4).
I hope the above helps !
 
@Blinks I also tend to need less insulin during hot weather. However, I'm sure I've read that some Type 1s tend to require more insulin.

It could be the heat affecting your insulin but it could just be that you require more insulin during a heatwave.
 
kitedoc said:
Hi @Blinks,
I agree with @Davie_sett. Warm to hot weather seems to improve insulin sensitivity in me,( or is it that insulin gets absorbed better in warm skin) . Regarding your high blood sugar troubles, Please consider:
1) Recommended temperature for insulin stored in fridge is 2 to 8 degrees C - if the thermostat in your fridge has been reset to make the fridge cooler maybe some or all of your insulin has been frozen and thus rendered inactive
2) in summertime temperatures say in a parked car can be well above 30 degrees C. Insulin kept for use outside the fridge is said to be active for about 30 days if kept below 30 degrees C - so insulin inactivated by heat might be a cause.
1) and 2) rely on information on the leaflet in with your insulin, you may have to obtain a new batch of insulin from the chemist if you think 1) applies, and try a new batch from the fridge if you think 2) applies.
3) increased stress and worry will push blood sugars up
4) inactivity, if you are used to some walking or other exercise at work and are now on holidays, and taking it easy, your insulin doses are not going to be as effective as usual.
5) some underlying infection ? feet, urine etc ( after a vaccination, cold/'flu ) will cause blood sugars to rise - please see your doctor if this might be the case (5) and also see him/her for 3) or 1) for a new script, consult with nurse about 4).
I hope the above helps !
Click to expand...
Also consider a gum or tooth infection.
 
Back
Top