Hot weather and blood glucose readings

[pippaandben]

I have found over the last 7-10 days that my morning readings are higher than normal. As I am in the middle of sorting out my basal dose under telephone clinic supervision this is annoying to say the least as I am instructed to not do any correction doses. Are others finding raises during this very hot weather? I would like to know if this is usual before contacting the clinic.

 

[helli]

There are many things which affect our blood sugar levels and heat is one.
As I am sure you have read many times, we are all different: some of us find heat increases our levels, some find it decreases them and some find it makes no difference.

My personal (unproven) hypothesis is that our levels go up if we find heat uncomfortable as it is a kind of stress reaction.

 

[trophywench]

I've not heard that hypothesis before - and Yes, I freely concede that it could possibly be 'why' - but don't know whether it is. What do the rest of the gang of us here think?

 

[khskel]

Day time no problem but much red on the Libre graph overnight. Luckily it's reading a little low so I'm usually just in the safe zone according to a finger test

 

[silentsquirrel]

I hate these temperatures, always have, but levels are plummeting ! Sorry, hypothesis does not work for me!

 

[Gwynn]

Over the last hot week my blood glucose level has been down by about 0.5 to 1, always in the 4's right now.

 

[trophywench]

Nor does it work for me, since I normally go low, when it's scorchio. But I wasn't saying that everyone's BG would plummet, or increase, but only wondering if that was a plausible explanation for those who go higher, is all. The possible explanation of increase, was the hypothesis in question - not whether it can do that - since we've had people say it can and does, for years.

 

[silentsquirrel]

It was @helli 's hypothesis I was referring to, which (possibly in another thread)did work for both directions.

 

[eggyg]

I went out for lunch today. 12.30 pm 6.7. 6 units of NovaRapid. Penne salmone. I thought I’d over bloused but it was quite a large portion. My ratio is 1:10. I’m just starting to feel peckish now. 8pm. BGs 10! Washed hands again, used another finger 11.1! What the heck! My morning readings have been a bit higher than usual. I haven’t done exercise ie long walks, for a week as it’s far too hot. Maybe that’s it. Now what do I do? Correction or ride it out?

Just edited to say, normally my BGs are much lower in the heat if I’m still able to go walking. I just couldn’t even contemplate walking in this weather, it’s very, very uncomfortable for me. I can’t bear it to be truthful so maybe it is the stress of trying to keep cool.

 

[helli]

It was @helli 's hypothesis I was referring to, which (possibly in another thread)did work for both directions.

Back to the drawing board for my hypothesising.

 

[Robin]

Back to the drawing board for my hypothesising.

I think there is something in what you say. I did some gardening this afternoon, got a bit carried away, ended up working in full sun, and eventually stopped because I'd got too hot and uncomfortable. BG had shot up to double figures. Did some more this evening, in the shade, and was hot but not uncomfortably so, and I only stopped when I'd finished what I wanted to do, not because I needed to. BG dropped and I needed a snack. So I think for me, if I'm just working hard, it drops, but if I'm working so my body gets stressed in the heat, I go up.

 

[trophywench]

Ah - but! - perhaps it does work for both - although the lows are usually put down to the insulin working better/less insulin resistance, when the weather and body are hotter than usual. However despite having been consistently lower for about a week I ruddy hate it being this hot and so ruddy humid constantly, without any access to neck deep water to chuck myself in to cool my core temperature down for half an hour. So its certainly stressful, so that's mega potty because mental stress sends my BG up - but I'm about to finish my resignation notice for the mentally stressful thingy I took on without any clue how stressful it woud be - after lunch on Sunday - and I can't blooming wait, cos last couple of days my BG has been higher at times, yet again over the last 2 years. It really hasn't suited my body - and of course I'm the only person in that partic group this applies to so they like my last employer, really aren't all that sympathetic and regard it more as me just making excuses. I knew prior to this time last year I shouldn't carry on cos it was doing me NBG - and would not have done, had it not been for this ruddy pandemic .....

 

[Stuvart]

As a t2 this last week has caused my bgs to be higher than my average 6-7 and up into 9-10's weirdly in the morning (5.30am)and evening 6pmish)but makes me feel like there high at lunch(12ish) but are around 6/7 its playing hob with my concentration and energy levels at work, very strange.
Though as this is my first summer having the d I've got nothing to compare it to.

 

[vikki]

Heat lowers bgs for me and that's the only good thing about heatwaves ,so looking forward to a blinking good thunderstorm ⛈️

 

[pippaandben]

I have found over the last 7-10 days that my morning readings are higher than normal. As I am in the middle of sorting out my basal dose under telephone clinic supervision this is annoying to say the least as I am instructed to not do any correction doses. Are others finding raises during this very hot weather? I would like to know if this is usual before contacting the clinic.

Thanks to all those who have replied. Proves the saying that nothing is concrete where the diabetes fairy is concerned. This morning I am back to single figures -just at 9.1 . Will wait til clinic rings for tomorrow afternoon consultation before I adjust basil again. I should have added another 2 units of levemir last night making it 20units.
Although officially type 2 as Dr refused to test for type 1 due to cost and it making no difference as already on insulin. On insulin within 6 months of diagnosis now I have managed after 10 years and a change of GP to get referred to the hospital clinic who are saying it looks very much as if I am type 1 as I am not typically giving type 2 readings - whatever they are. They may authorise a test for me if adjusting basal a problem as I have been told not to do correction doses whilst testing basal.
The first thing the new GP did was get me a blood test after 18 months without one and reading was 101!!!! The one
before was 72 and resulted in a nurse lecture hence changing GPs.