Time Zones and Insulin

Time Zones and Insulin
December 11, 2008
LifeScript

Flying to your in-laws’ this holiday season? If you plan to traverse several time zones, how do you adjust your insulin?

The easiest approach is to omit your intermediate- or long-acting insulin on the morning of the trip, and rely on regular insulin to keep your blood sugar normal, says the American Diabetes Association.

You’ll need to test your blood sugar frequently (every 4 hours) and take regular insulin frequently (every 4 hours, adjusting the insulin dose to your blood sugar level).

When you arrive at your destination and change your watch to the new time zone, go back on your usual insulin and meal schedule.