Have you noticed how damn hot it is? That fiery thing in the sky is burning proper bright, and I’ve suddenly become a darker shade of pale. Summer brings with it some lovely changes - my tomatoes are ripening, my heating bills are lower, and for the most part people seem a little bit happier.

But one thing you might be noticing that isn’t so lovely, is how your blood sugar is reacting to the change in heat.

What might previously have been predictable and dependable suddenly starts acting erratically, without any noticeable changes in your diet or insulin routine. Whether you’re on holiday or just going about your everyday life, blood sugar can go cray-cray when it gets hot-hot.

Let’s have a look at why your blood sugar behaves differently in the summer, and what you can do to deal with it. SPOILER: You can absolutely still eat ice cream.

How does hot weather affect blood sugar?

When the weather gets warmer, your metabolism needs to work faster. This means it’s pumping blood around your body more vigorously than it would do normally. That burns off the sugar in your system and uses up any energy supplies, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia.

It also means insulin works faster for the same reason. Any insulin you give yourself will suddenly be on hyperdrive, racing round your body and potentially overreacting to any carbs.

EVEN MORE annoyingly than that, hypos will be harder to spot when it’s hot. Normal signs such as sweating and tiredness could be confused for signs of the warm weather, making them easier to ignore.

Uh.

Summer time spikes

All of this can create spikes, as everything works faster than you’re used to. Insulin can cause a low spike (or a ditch? A trench? I dunno.) You’ll want to treat this, but then any sugar you take could cause a high spike, which you then might be tempted to correct. Guess what happens next? You got it - another low spike, which you then correct again, and again and again and again. Your glucose meter can end up looking like a mountain range, leaving you feel pretty rubbish and unable to frolic in the beautiful weather. You deserve more frolicking!

What other problems can hot weather cause for diabetics?

On top of the risk of low blood sugar and high blood sugar, hot weather can also increase the risk of diabetics becoming dehydrated. That risk is further heightened if your sugar levels are on the up.
That can lead to headaches, to fatigue, to muscular weakness, and to a feeling like you just want to sleep.

But wait, there’s more!

Can the hot weather affect glucose meters?

Oh you bet it can. I’m on the Dexcom One, and if I’m out on a sunny day a little warning pops up telling me it’s too hot. That can really mess with your summer vibe, especially when symptoms of hypos can be more confusing.

To avoid this issue, see the shade as your friend. I know you might want to top up your tan, but your pancreas disagrees. Don’t spend too long in direct heat (that’s good advice in general) and consider taking other means of glucose testing with you. Finger strips can be kept in a bag out of the sun, making them more reliable.

Top tips for summer blood sugar smiles

Ok so that’s everything that’s bad about a diabetic summer, what can you do to fix it? Fear not - I’ve lived through the problems so you don’t have to.

Check your blood sugar often.
Your body will use up insulin and burn off sugar faster in the heat. Check regularly to stop it catching you out.
Give yourself time.
Let your body do its thing. If you’re treating a low, give it 15 minutes to get to work. If you’ve just eaten, give your body an hour or so to level out again. Insulin kicks in over a two-hour period, so taking any more if it looks like you’re going high could cause a low. It’s a balancing act - be patient.
Don’t confuse symptoms.
Feeling sweaty? It could be the warm weather, or you could be about to PASS OUT. If in doubt, whip it out (your blood sugar checker, that is).
Drink water, fool.
Water water everywhere. Staying hydrated will help your body moderate the blood being sent around your body, meaning sugar and insulin are looked after well.
Seek the shade.
The sun can mess with your meter. Whether you use a dedicated meter or an app on your phone, keep them both in the shade to stop them crashing.
Take sugar with you.
Summer increases your risk of hypo. Don’t leave home without glucose, delicious, life saving glucose.

But what about the ice cream?

Ice cream is delicious and should be enjoyed responsibly. It’s only cold milk, really, so you might not even need to take any insulin before you eat it. Crazy! Just keep the extra toppings to a minimum and tuck in just like a normal, fully functioning human being.