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How to keep your meter working in the cold?

SnackoJ

Member
Messages
12
Location
Manchester
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi everyone

I have started walking/hiking and find that my meter stops working when it gets cold. Have tried keeping it on the inside of my jacket, but this is a bit hit and miss. If I place it under my arm pit to warm it up, it starts working again, but this a real pain. Any advice?
 

Assuming you layer up when out walking, have you considered putting your meter into a small pouch, on a lanyard around your neck and tucking it down the neck of your sweater? It need only be your meter, I'd think. The strips and lancet device could be kept in an inside pocket as usual.

I used to deploy a similar tactic with a small camera when skiing, in temperatures down into the mid-teens below zero. It worked for me, and the added bonus was it hanging down around my midriff was about as benign a place for it, in the event of a fall.
 

The lanyard/pouch is a good idea, will give it a try on my next outing. Thanks!
 

Have noticed that my Glucomen test strips are supposed to be kept at a temperature between 4°C and 30°C. I have not tried using them anywhere near a temperature as low as 4 so I cannot say whether they stop working or give false readings. But as temperature affects electrical resistance I 'assume' they might not be accurate below 4°C. Would be interested if any clever bods know the answer to this.
 

Probably worth popping the strips into the pouch too, by the sound of it. Thanks.
 
Temperature and humidity affect the enzyme, and the reaction of the strip.
Keep the meter and strips together.
I shall have to stick one in the freezer to find out the difference later today.
 
I have a small pouch that takes reader, strips and lancets and just put it in a trouser pocket when golfing which seems to do the trick. The thigh muscle seems to put out enough warmth.

If put in my golf bag I end up with the dreaded T-E error...
 
Well, tested after lunch.

6.3 with the room temperature strip.
7.0 with one stored in the freezer.
So, depending on your viewpoint,
10% different,
or both within the 20% error allowed.
 
Or you could buy battery heated socks and stick the monitor and strips in side one of the socks.
 
What about hand warmers? I used to have a couple of friends who were keen all weather field archers, and they swore by them for the cold weather. I found these these little sporty ones on eBay: Highlander rechargeable handwarmers, but they list all sorts of others as well.
Robbity
 
Thanks for all the feedback/advice. I'm new on here and really pleased to have such a great network of experience. Look forward to joining in when I have something to contribute. None of my circle of friends is diabetic or Type 1 so they find it really hard to understand that its 24/7 (well almost!).
 
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