Traveling in Cold Climates with Diabetes

Cold weather can affect blood glucose levels and insulin absorption in people with diabetes, requiring extra precautions to maintain stable control.

 

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Cold weather Arrow icon
General recommendations Arrow icon
Storage of your CONTOUR® meter and test strips Arrow icon

Cold weather

In colder conditions, insulin may be absorbed more slowly at first, but once you warm up, it can be absorbed rapidly, which increases the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Additionally, your body expends more energy to maintain warmth, such as when shivering, which can also trigger low blood sugar. To help manage this, dress in layers so you can stay warm and remove clothing as you heat up.

Hypoglycemia in cold weather can be particularly dangerous since it affects your body's ability to stay warm, raising the risk of hypothermia.

 

General recommendations

Follow these general recommendations:

  • To stay safe, monitor your blood sugar more often and adjust your insulin or diet as needed.
  • Insulin could freeze if exposed to cold conditions. If you suspect your insulin was ever frozen, you should not use it.
  • It’s essential to be cautious about low blood sugar, especially in extreme cold, as your meter may not work accurately in these conditions. Always check the temperature range for your meter in the instructions, and keep it at room temperature when possible (see also: Storage of your CONTOUR® meter and test strips).
  • If you have poor circulation or neuropathy, frostbite is a bigger concern, as numbness in your feet may prevent you from feeling the cold. Regularly check your feet in cold environments, and bring extra layers, including spare socks, to prevent damage.1
 

Storage of your CONTOUR® meter and test strips

  • Always keep the CONTOUR®PLUS test strips in their original bottle or foil packet. Do not expose the meter or test strips to excessive cold.2
  • The meter is designed to give accurate blood test results at temperatures between 5°C and 45°C. If the meter or test strip is outside this range, you should not test until the meter and test strip are within this range. Whenever the meter is moved from one location to another, allow approximately 20 minutes for the meter to adjust to the temperature of the new location before performing a blood glucose test.2
  • Please note: your meter may show an error message when it’s too cold to test (E24/E27 – too cold to test); it is recommended to check your user guide.2

The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your healthcare practitioner for personalized advice tailored to your specific needs and health condition.

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References:

1. Diabetes UK. Travelling with diabetes. Accessed Mach 24, 2025. Available from: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/living-with-diabetes/life-with-diabetes/travel

2. CONTOUR®PLUS ELITE - 11/1/2019 - User Guide (Rev 11/19)