There are many variables that can affect your diabetes and temperature is one of them that can affect you. Both extreme heat and cold can affect the efficacy of your test strips and insulin. Here are some tips that can help you to keep your supplies intact.
How should insulin be stored?
Insulin should be stored in the refrigerator, it has an expiration date and it is good until the expiration. Any expire insulin should be discarded because the insulin will no longer be potent or effective. Insulin, once opened, it can generally last about one month in room temperature. A seal of insulin has been puncture then it is considered open. In case of removing the cap, but not puncture the seal, the bottle is still considered unopened.
How should Test strips be stored?
These strips should be stored in their original container with the close lid. After taking a strip out, the cap is tightly closed right away. The blood glucose test strip can be damaged by humidity and heat and yield an inaccurate result. Typically, you have to find a temperature symbol where you can keep your test strip container. You cannot keep them into freeze and also in a room where the air is humid such as a laundry room, or bathroom.
If you are in heat then what can you do with your test strips?
If you are going to in heat environment then
€ You should not leave insulin and your meter in a heated car.
€ Do not keep your meter and insulin in contact with direct sunlight.
€ Do not freeze your insulin, it can affect potency.
You can do these things:
€ Keep away insulin from direct sunlight.
€ You can use an umbrella to keep your area shaded- your meter operates best at room temperature.
€ If your meter gets too hot, then before the testing let it cools off.
How do you know that your insulin or meter is not working properly?
If you feel that your insulin is not working properly then checks it that it has an unusual appearance. If you think that your insulin has gone bad then throws the bottle away, don't try to take any risk and open a new one.
Malfunction of test strips is more common than meters. If you check your blood sugars and it is completely out of range then your test strips might get damaged. If you found that your actual meter is not working then you can tell your health care provider and contact the company which made your strips and meter.