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Hot weather and insulin requirements

nikkid

nikkid

Well-Known Member
Messages
139
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I have been on my pump for around a month now and at home was starting to really get on top of my control with my basal levels.
I have come on holiday to 35 degree heat and feel that my control is much worse.
I am eating sensibly but do have a reduced level of activity. I am changing my cartridge every day as I'm worried that the insulin may denature in the heat otherwise and have put a TBR on to keep my levels stable.
Do others find an increased insulin requirement in these situations? I had always found I needed less insulin on MDI
 
Hi nikkid I've just started on the pump but MDI I needed more insulin with the heat by about 15%.
 
nikkid said:
I have been on my pump for around a month now and at home was starting to really get on top of my control with my basal levels.
I have come on holiday to 35 degree heat and feel that my control is much worse.
I am eating sensibly but do have a reduced level of activity. I am changing my cartridge every day as I'm worried that the insulin may denature in the heat otherwise and have put a TBR on to keep my levels stable.
Do others find an increased insulin requirement in these situations? I had always found I needed less insulin on MDI
Click to expand...
Nikki, you're in Turkey, right? I personally would be searching for "hidden carbs" in what you're eating, first of all! They put breadcrumbs and flour in all kinds of things here.

I haven't had the need for more insulin with heat - for me it's the opposite. Having said that, the last few days I've been needing more because it's rainy and cold in Istanbul. And I had just got mine balanced too!
 
nikkid said:
I have been on my pump for around a month now and at home was starting to really get on top of my control with my basal levels.
I have come on holiday to 35 degree heat and feel that my control is much worse.
I am eating sensibly but do have a reduced level of activity. I am changing my cartridge every day as I'm worried that the insulin may denature in the heat otherwise and have put a TBR on to keep my levels stable.
Do others find an increased insulin requirement in these situations? I had always found I needed less insulin on MDI
Click to expand...
Reduced activity will be one pointer to higher levels hidden carbs as Ruth mentions would be another. Plus as an added bonus, you have only been on a pump for a month, so would suspect things have settled to a certain degree and your basals need tweaking. Perhaps leave that until you get home though :) As you have done keep on the temp basal, but enjoy your holiday.
 
Normally it's less basal requirement in hotter weather, not more.

Look for illness, inactivity, extra food. Are you eating more fat and protein than usual? That can push up your bolus needs.
 
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