Understanding Time Zones

When travelling across time zones it is important to keep the timing of your medications consistent to avoid high or low blood sugar levels. One way to do this is by wearing a second watch that you keep set to your home time zone and use this to know when to take your medication. Another method is to know how many time zones you will travel through and how that change will affect your medications.

Travelling West

When travelling west you gain hours and the day becomes longer. You will usually need more insulin or medication and will eat extra meals on the travel day, which need to be accounted for.

Travelling East

When travelling east you lose hours and the day becomes shorter. You will usually need less intermediate or long acting insulin and may skip a meal on the travel day, which needs to be considered when dosing your medication.

Tips for Travelling

  • Wear your MedicAlert bracelet that says you have diabetes
  • Learn how to say “sugar” or “I have diabetes” in the languages of countries you are visiting
  • Take twice the amount of diabetes supplies (medications including insulin, pens, testing strips, glucose tabs, etc.) you will need in case of delays or changes in plans
  • Let the people you are travelling with know you have diabetes
  • Check your blood sugar more often as the changes in your routine may affect your blood sugars
  • Have an adequate supply of food and fluid on the plane to allow for unexpected delays and stop overs
  • Carry all insulin, medication, and monitoring supplies with you. Do not leave them in checked baggage
  • If you are on insulin therapy, carry a letter with you from your doctor stating that you have diabetes and require insulin injections.
  • Know where to seek medical help at your destination if required

If you are on Insulin

  • Pack your insulin and syringes or pens in the luggage you keep with you
  • Keep your blood glucose meter, test strips, and lancets with you
  • Carry fast-acting sugar such as glucose tabs with you as well as a snack
  • Make sure your diabetes supplies are clearly labeled
  • Do not place your diabetes supplies in checked luggage as they can be exposed to heat or cold

If you are on an Insulin Pump

  • Make sure you have extra insulin pump reservoirs and infusion sets
  • Have insulin along with syringes or pens for back-up insulin delivery incase of pump failure with you
  • Keep your blood glucose meter, test strips, and lancets with you
  • Carry fast-acting sugar such as glucose tabs with you as well as a snack
  • Make sure your diabetes supplies are clearly labeled
  • Do not place your diabetes supplies in checked luggage as they can be exposed to heat or cold
  • When flying, notify the security screener that you have diabetes and are carrying supplies with you. Show them your insulin pump, along with the tubing and infusion set. Inform them that this is a life-sustaining device connected to your body and cannot be removed. Metal detectors will not harm the pump.