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Is my insulin OK?

R

RiddleMeThis

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1.5 LADA
I'm fairly sure it's fine, but first time in this situation (Diagnosed with LADA in December 2024).

I use Humalog and Humalin insulin pens, which are normally kept in the fridge as they are supposed to be until taken out for use.

However, as I'm sure many of you read, we had a bit of a power cut here in Spain on Monday and I personally had no power for 12 hours. In this time, the inside of the fridge warmed to 16 degrees.

Is the insulin I have there going to be fine warming up to that temperature and then chilling again?
 
It should be fine @RiddleMeThis What I’d do is mark the boxes so I know they’re the ones that have had a tiny blip in their storage but I doubt it will affect the insulin.

And welcome to the forum 🙂
 
Hi @RiddleMeThis
I agree with @Inka . If insulin does get too hot, unless it is extreme, it will still work just not as well. Mark the boxes so that you know to be ready for any wierdness when using those boxes. If problems arise switch to new ones. I think I would also order a new box of each now so that you have some to hand just in case.
 
Hi @RiddleMeThis insulin is fine at room temperature for 30 days.
It is expected to live out of the fridge while you are using it. It is too restrictive to carry a fridge around when you are eating out.
In fact, it is recommended to inject insulin at room temperature because it can sting when too cold.

I apologize if I misunderstood your comment about taking the insulin out for use.
 
@SB2015, I will have more available via the prescription before I finishing with the current pens in use. I don't need to order it in advance as the pharmacy usually has it in stock. If not, they can normally get it within a couple of hours.

@helli, Yes, I was referring to the unused insulin stored in the fridge. The pens I'm using aren't kept in the fridge. This is another problem I'll need to look into shortly though as the average temperature in flat from June to October last year was over 30 degrees. I bought this (https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0D6Z1ZYSR) recently and hoping it will be sufficient.
 
RiddleMeThis said:
Yes, I was referring to the unused insulin stored in the fridge. The pens I'm using aren't kept in the fridge. This is another problem I'll need to look into shortly though as the average temperature in flat from June to October last year was over 30 degrees. I bought this (https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0D6Z1ZYSR) recently and hoping it will be sufficient
Click to expand...
I am not familiar with these but remember, although the outside temperature is over 30, it is rare that your insulin will be out of the shade.
I use Frio pouches when I travel somewhere hot. A few years back, I was in Dubai where I sat in a rooftop bar at midnight in 39 degrees. It was hot!
I had forgotten my Frio pouch. Probably, because it was a work trip.
My insulin was in my bag, pretty well naturally insulated. It was fine.
And, most of the time, I was in air-conditioned offices, restaurants and hotel.
 
RiddleMeThis said:
However, as I'm sure many of you read, we had a bit of a power cut here in Spain on Monday and I personally had no power for 12 hours. In this time, the inside of the fridge warmed to 16 degrees.
Click to expand...
12 hours is much less than a month so it’s fine
 
As I have recounted on here before, a box of cartridges got left in my husband’s coat pocket, hanging above a radiator, for well over a week, and they were absolutely fine.
 
My only experience with off insulin is I kept injecting and my blood sugars wouldn’t go down when I looked at the vial it was cloudy which was an indicator it had gone bad
 
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