Samantha Walsh has lived with type 1 diabetes for over five years since 2017. After her T1D diagnosis, she was eager to give back to the diabetes community. She is the Community and Partner Manager for T1D Exchange and helps to manage the Online Community and recruit for the T1D Exchange Registry. Prior to T1D Exchange, Samantha fundraised at Joslin Diabetes Center. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelors degree in sociology and early childhood education.
My blood glucose levels go up in the winter, and I increase my basal rates. Cold weather has many negative effects upon my body, But, that’s another story. I believe the most significant reason my blood glucose levels rise in the winter is because I move my exercise from outdoors running in warm weather, to indoors gym work in the winter. I still do an elliptical indoors, but it is not the same as running aerobic cardio outdoors. So, my blood sugars rise. (BTW, I prefer to say “blood sugar,” not “blood glucose.” Just a personal thing.)
Call it whatever you want. We will still understand what you are saying.
I think back in the early 60s, it was always “blood sugar.” Later on, we may have been trying to sound more scientific.
I tend to stay high more often because I exercise less in cold weather. In warmer seasons I like to work/garden outside and all that bending/stooping help my bG.
I do not notice a difference, but that may be because my insulin pump manages deliveries to maintain BG in range. Also, I am less active when it is very cold in Idaho.
Doctor’s think I am less active in colder weather, but I am not. I do the exact same exercise routines year-round. My sugars stay steady in winter and summer. In fall they gradually rise, and I adjust my settings. In spring, they gradually fall and, again, I adjust my settings. I use about 20 units of insulin per day in summer and 26 in winter. Both the basal and the carb ratios have to be adjusted.
My BS may be higher overall in colder weather because I am more reluctant to get out and go for a walk after each meal.
Yes it goes up
I think my BGs are affected more by lower activity level than to winter weather per se….except when I am shoveling snow!
Me too!!
My blood glucose levels go up in the winter, and I increase my basal rates. Cold weather has many negative effects upon my body, But, that’s another story. I believe the most significant reason my blood glucose levels rise in the winter is because I move my exercise from outdoors running in warm weather, to indoors gym work in the winter. I still do an elliptical indoors, but it is not the same as running aerobic cardio outdoors. So, my blood sugars rise. (BTW, I prefer to say “blood sugar,” not “blood glucose.” Just a personal thing.)
Call it whatever you want. We will still understand what you are saying.
I think back in the early 60s, it was always “blood sugar.” Later on, we may have been trying to sound more scientific.
haven’t seen much effect. but since I live in Houston, it’s hard to call the weather “winter” here.
I tend to stay high more often because I exercise less in cold weather. In warmer seasons I like to work/garden outside and all that bending/stooping help my bG.
Me too!
I’m a lizard. My blood congeals when it is very cold. And Insulin doesn’t flow as well through my veins.
Weather doesn’t appear to alter my BG values. Level of activity definitely has a large effect on my BG.
I do not notice a difference, but that may be because my insulin pump manages deliveries to maintain BG in range. Also, I am less active when it is very cold in Idaho.
Depending on the weather, I tend to be less active in winter. Each fall the try to adjust my insulin dosages to accommodate this activity change.
As long as there’s open path and no ice, I spend way more time outside. Summer with the heat is when I hibernate.
Doctor’s think I am less active in colder weather, but I am not. I do the exact same exercise routines year-round. My sugars stay steady in winter and summer. In fall they gradually rise, and I adjust my settings. In spring, they gradually fall and, again, I adjust my settings. I use about 20 units of insulin per day in summer and 26 in winter. Both the basal and the carb ratios have to be adjusted.