Insulin in hot weather

[hels]

Hello,

As it says on the storage info I keep my current in-use insulin unrefridgerated. With temperatures in the UK due to hit mid-high thirties should I consider keeping my open insulin in the fridge when I can? The information says it should be kept below 30 degrees. I'm thinking as the unopened insulin should be kept in the fridge that it won't harm it and may prevent it going off due to the temperatures.
Any thoughts?

 

[becca59]

I wouldn’t think it would damage it but may sting a bit when injecting. I have a Frio. Useful for when out and about, keep it in there whilst in the house during hot spells. When going out perhaps use a little lunch box with a small ice pack in if you have one.

 

[Jaylee]

Hello,

As it says on the storage info I keep my current in-use insulin unrefridgerated. With temperatures in the UK due to hit mid-high thirties should I consider keeping my open insulin in the fridge when I can? The information says it should be kept below 30 degrees. I'm thinking as the unopened insulin should be kept in the fridge that it won't harm it and may prevent it going off due to the temperatures.
Any thoughts?

Hi,

Out of sunlight & out of the car. Like @becca59 , I use a Frio wallet for my in use stuff.
Back in the fridge is a fine..
I’d be a little wary about storing insulin next to/ in contact with something like an ice pack? But kept separate from in an insulated lunch box compartment? Should keep the insulin within a healthy temp.. If you’re out & about?

 

[Mr Doggy]

Here's a great hack I use in Spain. If you have a thermos add COLD water from a fridge overnight and throw in your pens (no needles). The cold water will keep it / them cool but not at freezing. I'd say same as fridge 2-3 hours and a little warmer 4-6 hours than a fridge but not much. Fine in some direct sun light but 1 hour tops. This is the one I use. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Laken-Trin...&qid=1657882497&sprefix=laken,aps,144&sr=8-14
The bonus is you can drink some of the water

Sometimes I place the thermos next to my diet coke carrier, which keeps a can cold for 3 hours... and both items are in my backpack doing 2 hours exercise in the sun and shade and come out cold. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gtell-ramb...=1657883036&sprefix=can+coole,aps,139&sr=8-11

There's various things I've used over the years for carrying insulin around in hot countries. There's those which you douse in water and it lowers the temperature, like this https://www.amazon.com/Insulin-Cool...insulin+pen+cooler&qid=1657882134&sr=8-5&th=1. Typically this gets the least amount of grief from 'borderland security' if you use it to travel. I'd say a lot is hype, but it's better and cheaper than others.

There's specialist diabtetic carry kits you can get on Aliexpress...
https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-insulin-pen-cooler.html

I've found that heat kinda kills off the effectiveness of the dosage you take until it's cooled (i.e. inject more) and that's a pain to work out vs. put it in the fridge. You also get the sting if it's hot like others have said.

Over night put it away in the fridge. It's designed to work at a certain temperature so... try to keep to it

Hope the tips and products help

 

[david4503]

Hello,

As it says on the storage info I keep my current in-use insulin unrefridgerated. With temperatures in the UK due to hit mid-high thirties should I consider keeping my open insulin in the fridge when I can? The information says it should be kept below 30 degrees. I'm thinking as the unopened insulin should be kept in the fridge that it won't harm it and may prevent it going off due to the temperatures.
Any thoughts?

Keep all your insulin refrigerated unless you need to use it or keep it with you, in which case use an ice pack. Especially important for some insulins like rapid acting which have a shorter shelf life after being opened. Just don’t let it freeze.

 

[Penquin47210]

When first in King’s College being stabilised aged 11 I was told that in summer the requirement may go up as the temperature degrades the insulin- my biologist training tells me that the rate of activity degrades by halving if the temperature goes from 30 - 40 !

That is a great deal and something we all need to bear in mind. Freezing insulin also breaks up the molecule but by an unknown amount, hence very important to avoid. I managed once to put ALL my insulin vials next to an ice block and froze the lot on a first camping trip to S. France……. I realised and took it away but was concerned to say the least, about any damage and how difficult it might be to replace (pre joining EU days).

Fortunately., it seemed OK ! I felt no worsening so obviously got away with the very short period of freezing. But I was VERY concerned (aged 17 !)

My concerns now are about excessive temperature and the insulin in the pump cartridge, I have just bought the Frio Pump bag, but have not tried it out, yet.

 

[PaulAshby]

Went on 2 year world trip 2014/15 and never bothered with keeping my insulin in cold bags, icebags or whatever low temperature gadgets there are out there, I popped it in a fridge when I found one but generally kept it in the shade, it's hardy stuff thankfully so don't worry yourselves too much.

 

[deniski]

I don’t bother.
I react to my readings, have a very irregular lifestyle, and have travelled though deserts, work as an mountain professional and am well controlled so while I’m aware of my insulin I don’t make extra efforts to keep it cool.