fridges - insulin

[adrian jaye]

ok,

anyone have any ideas,

I got a fridge, which for the most part is fine, have had for about 5 years, the first 6 months it made an awfull racket, but then setted down. Now it hardly makes a sound.

now, its one of these new fangled, energy saving ones.

I've had to mopnitor the tempreature, primairly beacuse I store my insulin in it.

I've used 3 digital thermometers and the all vary getween 8.8deg's and 10degs. This is when the fridge is on its highest setting and the probes are in the middle shelf (where I store my insulin)

now, Insulin (long term, storage) needs to be farily cold BUT not frozen, I think at around 5degs to 12degs, I'd feel happier if the fridge were around 6 or 7 deg's.

I'm going to try the lower shelf, but think it could get down to as low as 2 ot 3 which would kill the insulin.

BTW the frezzer does have ICE init !

could it be the gas is leaky/worn out, the fins at the back get quite warm, can I tweak the thermostat or are they sealed units.

any ideas, cos I'm really quite concerned about my insulin !

cheers guys

Ade

[Z-man]

Adrian:
I too store insulin in my fridge. The rule of thumb is: as long as it isn't frozen, it's all good. Most modern insulins can be stored at room temperature, but still most pharmacies store their supply in a fridge.

I wouldn't worry over a few degree difference, as long as it's not being frozen. (You're better off keeping it a couple degrees warmer to avoid the threat of freezing.)

Worry more about your blood sugar level! That's what's more important!
-Z-man.

[adrian jaye]

hey Z,
didnt know you were a Diabetic ?
1 or 2 ?

re: freezing, yep for sure and the room temp yes I agree.

btw my control is fine, last Hba1C 6.5

cheers

Ade

[Z-man]

Adrian: I'm type 1.

My Glyco hovers around 7 and 8 - I know: too many tacos!

Glad to see you're in tight control. That's the key to longevity!

Regards,
-Z-man.

[Moses]

Insulin is a protein, so it's pretty stable. Also, it's generally not hanging around in the fridge for long periods of time so any effects of temp. changes should be minimal. If you check your BS regularly, it should become apparent if your insulin is not working as it should.

There is a company (Minimed?) that is working on a subcutaneous implantable glucose meter that continually monitors blood sugar. It sends IR signals to an insulin pump that delivers insulin as needed. Tight control. Lots of new stuff on the horizon, maybe even islet cell regeneration with stem cells.

[nostatic]

Originally posted by Moses
Insulin is a protein, so it's pretty stable.

I think the issue isn't protein stability, but rather at low temperature it will crysalize or precipitate out of solution, and will have a tough time going back into solution.

Lots of new stuff on the horizon, maybe even islet cell regeneration with stem cells.

Stem cell stuff is amazing. Too bad we have a president that wants to curtail it as much as possible

[adrian jaye]

Originally posted by Moses
Insulin is a protein, so it's pretty stable. Also, it's generally not hanging around in the fridge for long periods of time so any effects of temp. changes should be minimal. If you check your BS regularly, it should become apparent if your insulin is not working as it should.

aj)
Yeah I agree, cept as I said, I usually get 3-4 bottles at a time and the last a month a bottle.

aj)
I still produce insulin, (from tests I've done) either that or I'm in a bloody long hunnymoon period (2.5 years now!)

aj)
So my BG's are always good (even when I've been bad) but I want not to stress out my pancreas if I can avoid it, so I may be taking duff insulin,but my own bg's might not necessairly show this, because of my control.

[adrian jaye]

Originally posted by nostatic
Stem cell stuff is amazing. Too bad we have a president that wants to curtail it as much as possible

yeah for sure !

bet you if he had to be injecting himslef x' times a day he'd soon make funds available

laters

[Z-man]

Originally posted by Moses
There is a company (Minimed?) that is working on a subcutaneous implantable glucose meter that continually monitors blood sugar. It sends IR signals to an insulin pump that delivers insulin as needed. Tight control. Lots of new stuff on the horizon, maybe even islet cell regeneration with stem cells.

Good stuff. I keep reading about these developments. Stem Cell research seems to be a definate move towards a cure for diabetes. And even though I support our president on most of his views (No flames, please!) I am disappointed that he doesn't see the benefits of stem cell research.

Adrian: one more suggestion: store your insulin on the fridge door. They way the opening and closing of the door won't allow the insulin to settle. Also: the fridge door tends to be a little warmer than the rest of the fridge, so there's less chance the insulin will freeze.

BTW: I've been a diabetic since 1981.

-Z.

[adrian jaye]

Hi Z,
Insulin is stored in fridge door, but its a tight squeeze with bottles of beer (LOL)

81' ok, so your an old hand at this then
whats your regieme ?

[wludavid]

Here's an idea for proper storage temps. Instead of just monitoring the temperature, re-wire the fridge with a scientific thermostat. Take out the current generic hi/lo setting and put the thermostat in its place. Put the sensor probe near your insulin and the fridge will cycle as necessary to keep your insulin at the temperature you set.

If you're nervous about doing this to your main refrigerator, get a little dorm-style cube and do the re-wire. Also, be sure to keep whatever refrigerator you use stocked with water or diet soda or something. A full fridge retains more cold (ie, is more resistant to incoming heat due to higher heat capacity) than an empty one.

[wludavid]

It's not quite a scientific thermostat, but it's close to what I'm talking about.

http://www.homebrewers.com/product/500326

[adrian jaye]

cheers
someone else said the bit about a full fridge,
maybe thats the answer,
need to do some tests

cheers !