I can’t believe it took me so long to think about this but does anyone know if hot weather effects our bg? See I live in the Arizona desert, it’s a dry heat and our winter is the temperature of most places summer (the other night it was 80°,at night lol). I spend most of my days in the AC and it’s “winter” so I don’t have to worry too much yet. However in summer it gets up to 125°, it’s so hot that even a breeze feels like a blow dryer on a hot setting. I’m becoming more active again since finding out and im worried that the extreme weather might cause an extreme change in my bg. I really want to be able to go off-roading, or have fun at the river but heat stroke is very real here and im worried it’ll lower my bg by a lot. Does anyone know what I can expect? Thanks in advance for any insights
Hi Jeanne,
Yes! It will impact your BG. My mom (T1 for 40 years) says heat can make her levels increase or decrease - seemingly at random. I have heard that dehydration from sweating too much can make your BG increase, so its just something to keep an eye out for. In my short time at a T1D, I don’t have too much experience in this area, but I have considered buying something to keep my insulin cool when its too hot. That seems like I have looked at the water activated cooling packs (Frio brand I think), and I may buy one when we get closer to summer.
Yes Jeanne @JeanneMS weather, changes in temperature, barometric pressure change can all affect your blood sugar; and as seasons change [YES, even in Florida seasons change] your insulin needs MAY change.
when I encountered this 40 or so years ago and reported it to the doctor he in effect told me I was dreaming; since then we have done a few studies and find this to be true. What happens, I believe, is that your body absorbs and utilizes insulin at differing rates and most probably your body processes foods differently in cold weather than it does in warm [hot] weather. In the magazine along with insulin [pump] adjustment tips for changes to and from daylight time there is often a note about insulin need changes with the season.
You will need, probably after your honeymoon, to observe whether you need either more of less insulin when temperatures change - not all of us are affected in the same direction. I need more insulin in the cooler temperatures even though my activity levels increase.
My whole body gets a “prickly” feeling(like under my skin) and my flesh turns incredibly pink in hot weather. Does anyone know if it’s T1D related or just me growing up/living in a really cold rainy state.
Hi @GloomySunday96,
I snow skied at least two days a week in really cold weather and often took a Florida vacation [I have now lived full time in Florida for 18 years] and never noticed my skin turning pink - and I now ride my bike year round in heat.
I do notice a “prickly” feeling when my BG is going low - I use that feeling, if I’m thinking right, as a sign that I should check my BG.
I guess my body is just weird than haha. Thank you for the reply :)
@JeanneMS I def suffer from high VS when out in the heat, and it seems like the hotter it is the higher I get. Try drinking ice water to help.
Hi, Jeanne! I live in Arizona as well (I moved here last summer) and I could tell you that this hot weather definitely changed my insulin needs. At first, it was weird because I couldn’t find the right dosage, and because the heat also makes my blood pressure and BG go very low
In my case increasing my carbs intake during the day seems to be enough to help me go through it.
Hope this helps. Good luck!
Thanks @lupiriz that helps a lot!