How to manage your T1D in the heat

Beth Edwards Nutrition | Type 1 Diabetes Nutritionist | London Nutritionist | How to manage type 1 diabetes in the heat

Has the heat got your type 1 diabetes hot under the collar?

Lots of my type 1 diabetes clients are noticing differences in their blood glucose levels now the temperatures have started to rise. Maybe you are too?

So what's going on? Well, it all comes down to PHYSICS. The extra heat increases the kinetic energy of the particles in our bodies and our insulin. This provides more kinetic energy (i.e. the insulin moves around quicker and therefore does its job quicker). Additionally, the heat expands your blood vessels, which in turn can speed up insulin absorption and possibly lead to lows.

What can you do?

Keep a close eye on BG levels. If you're dropping low across the whole day, you might need to reduce your background (basal) insulin.
Maybe you find you go higher in the heat. This could be due to your insulin overheating. Ensure you keep your pens and vials in cool, shady spots when out and about, and change your infusion sites (if using a pump) more often if you feel your insulin reservoir is getting too warm.
Always carry lots of water with you, particularly if you're running a little bit on the high side. When the body is dehydrated, BG becomes more concentrated due to the decrease in blood flow through the kidneys. This makes it harder for the kidneys to remove any excess glucose from urine.
It's extra important to keep hypo treatment on you if you know you're prone to going low in the heat.