A couple of months ago, a good friend of mine was going through a horrible spate of bad highs that were proving to be completely random and over a period of about 2 weeks, were causing her serious problems. It seemed that no matter what she did, it just didn’t stop them from coming time and time again.
After a number of lines of investigation the only possibility that was left as an option was that the insulin she was using at the time was a dud batch. It’s not something that has happened to me but I have wondered a couple of times just how the pharmaceutical companies manage to ensure that the insulin they distribute is the right strength, not expired, not inactive and that it is generally safe for consumption.
My friends problem ended when she changed the vial of insulin and so we both became somewhat convinced that the issue was indeed the batch that she had been using (even if that is conjecture). At the time the insulin was taken back to the pharmacy and sent off for testing but the results aren’t back yet so I don’t thing she has a definitive answer.
Have any of you ever had this experience or, wondered if the insulin you have used at one point of another is dud? Or for that matter test strips or meters?
- Aaron
Posted in Hypos & Hypers, Technology & Equipment
Tagged as dud insulin.
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Chris wrote
Test strips, yes.
Insulin, no, thankfully.
Bridie wrote
I have just recently had a stint in hospital as my levels were constantly high in the 20’s and I struggled to get them stable. Thought it may have been my pump but changed and rechanged everything, had a number of blood tests to see if there was some king of infection causing the high levels, but that too came back all clear.
Did wonder if it was the insulin?
Am now home and back on track with stable tests!
Niki wrote
My daughter has recently had a week of very low lows, she’s on a pump and nothing else changed – I did wonder at the time if it was the insulin – the problem also went away when I changed the cartridge. Perhaps the opposite of the high issue?
Ali wrote
I’ve definitely had times when it seemed like the insulin I was taking less effective than usual but I always put it down to some internal mechanism causing the issue (e.g. hormones) but maybe next time I’ll try changing the vial and see what happens.
I’ve often wondered what impact temperature plays. We get told to keep our insulin refrigerated but what about the stuff that we’re currently using?
Sarah wrote
I once had a terrible stint when I arrived to live in the UK 5 years ago. After a week of high’s in the 20’s and all efforts to bring my blood sugars down which included changing my insulin vial numerous times, it was determined that my insulin had become ineffective as I had packed it in my luggage which froze in the undercarriage of the plane!! A lesson well learnt!! So yes, I believe temperature does play a part but only extreme temperatures, never pack your insulin in any luggage that goes in the undercarriage – never!
Aaron wrote
That’s good advise given my impending voyage Sarah. I will take that advice on board
Kiri wrote
Yes it has happened to me twice with my insulin….and boy did the pharmacist get a bollocking….i just could not understand why i was high all the time for like 2 weeks.
And even when you do not put your insulin in the undercarriage of the plan when travelling…it can still get warped so just be aware of that…it happened to me when travelling overseas and again had no idea why the highs were happening.
Nic wrote
@Sarah and @Kiri – yes I think the advice they give is to always take your insulin in your hand luggage for that reason. I wonder, Aaron if it were dud insulin from the company, or if the pharmacy didn’t sotre it correctly, or if indeed your friend had had it out of the fridge etc? I know also pump wearers are told to change the insulin in the cartridge regularly, and to avoid hot situations like electric blankets, etc.
Michelle wrote
I went through a couple of periods where my levels were high and couldn’t figure out why and in the end found that my vials for my injections had shattered somewhere along the line, so when the insulin dialled up was to be administered, half was seeping out the cracks in the vial. Whether this happened by myself being careless or en-route to the pharmacy from the distributor was never figured out.
Jo wrote
I just had this happen to me. I actually ended up with 2 readings within a day that were ‘hi’ on my meter – have never had one before. I knew it shouldn’t be at that level without something being very wrong. I wasn’t unwell, had had a normal lunch and normal dose of insulin. I had put in a new vial that morning so hoped it was a bad vial of insulin. On removing it from the pen I noticed that it was shattered at the bottom and a leak. No idea how that could have happened! I’d not dropped it, crushed it or over tightened the pen. Now as a a result I am staying up late, re-testing every half hour, feeling utterly lousy and grumpy, trying to get my BG down to an acceptable level without later on going hypo (altho probably inevitable).
Sigh.
Nic wrote
Oh Jo, that is truly unfortunate and a complete pain in the arse. Thinking of you and wishing you luck.
Jo wrote
Thanks Nic. Levels are finally looking a little more normal now that I have had a major couple of top ups with a new vial. NOT a fun day when you are working and then dealing with a 17 month old… no patience or energy when feeling lousy from a huge high! Of course I went trawling the internet for some guidance (wondered if I would have to get to the hosp) and came to this page.
Oh and all the very best for you next year taking a bit of a break – good for you!