IDS Diabetes Survey: August 2022

IDS Monthly Survey: August 2022

LAST MONTH’S SURVEY QUESTION:

In last month’s edition of Diabetes Bites, we asked what your experience has been with using insulin that has been exposed to heat.  Here’s what you had to say:

17% I have seen insulin spoil, but only when exposed to EXTREME heat.

30% Insulin seems to spoil when exposed to even mild heat.

19% Insulin appears to lose potency but not go completely bad with heat exposure.

6% Heat has never affected the potency of my insulin.

28% I never allow my insulin to be exposed to heat, so I don’t know.

Talk about a lack of consensus!  Experiences clearly vary.  But given that most users have experienced a loss of insulin effectiveness due to heat exposure, it certainly warrants attention – especially with heat waves baking many parts of the world.  If you must expose your insulin to warm/hot temperatures for more than a few minutes, precautions should be taken.  This may include the use of a cooling pouch such as the Frio Insulin Pump Cooling Wallet or the VIVI insulin pen cap; keeping insulin out of direct sunlight, away from major heat sources and out of parked cars; and changing out insulin vials/pens/pump cartridges immediately after heat exposure.