Does higher altitude affect BG levels?

[Mom2rh]

Heading to Wyoming next week...we are valley dwellers usually. Does the altitude difference make a difference in BG levels or insulin needs?

[Twinklet]

When we went to D camp last year (altitude 5400), Emily's BG was >500 on arrival (higher than diagnosis!) and was WAY high the entire week. We had to really increase the insulin. The Pedi Endos on staff said this was very common and that some people are sensitive to altitude in this way.

Interestingly, we also met several people in line while checking in who were having HYPO reactions for the same reason (they said it happened every year there).

So...be prepared for anything! And check frequently!

[sam1nat2]

I second Andie, I think it is an individual thing.
Being from Colorado, I don't know any different, he didn't go lower on vacation at lower altitudes, but then again, we were on vacation.

He is going to camp in a week at a higher elevation. The camp said that they will probably reduce basals due to altitude and exercise.

[rickst29]

Trips to other places, upper-altitude or not, usually involve hugely different meals, meal schedules, activities, sleep schedules.... different EVERYTHING.

The overall balance might go either way, tending either higher or lower, depending on whether the especially tasty food and snacks overwhelm all the running around.... or reverse. Be ready for unexpected surprises and difficulties. :mad:

Be especially careful of nighttime Hypos following ACTIVE days: You can eat more during the day to stay in balance, but Ryan's body is gonna play "catchup" during the night, and suck in more Glucose. Since he's not snacking while asleep, this probably calls for a reduction in his basal dose.
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BTW, I live at 6000 ft. but frequently travel to Sea Level. I don't have any recognizable change from the altitude, but things change so much, in so many ways, it's hard to be sure that there isn't SOME effect happening from JUST the altitude. In any case, after an ACTIVE day, dialing down my nighttime basal 20%-40% is almost always the right thing to do. YMMV! :D

[BrendaK]

I would suggest calling the manufacturer of your glucometer and asking how high of an altitude it's been tested.

Years ago we went skiing in Colorado and our meter back then was only "approved" up to 7000 feet. Fine for most people, but we were staying at an altitude of over 9000 feet.

They said that it was possible that we might get false low readings I think because of something to do with their being less oxygen in the blood. Can't remember exactly.

So basically they said to take the control solution and make sure the meter was working properly at the high altitude. It was and everything was fine.

My mom always goes low in Colorado and I'm SURE it's the high activity and strange meals, too.

[Brensdad]

When we went on our family vacation to Colorado, we stayed at heights nearing 10,000 feet and the biggest problem we had was frequent infusion site failure. Emma and I both had to change our sites every two days because the sites just seemed to go bad faster. I don't have any insight as to why, I just know it happened.

[Mom2rh]

Wow. OK. We'll make sure we have plenty of sites and insulin! And control solution! Thanks so much...I appreciate the help.

Last year we didn't have the pump and R's BG was steadily rising...but we think it was because he wasn't swimming like he usually does (swim team practice...1 1/2 hours a day) so the lack of exercise led to really high numbers. With the pump that will be easier to adjust.

Thanks again.

[kiwikid]

Thanks for this thread! I have just had a note home from school to say that our kids are heading to
http://www.snow.co.nz/Areas/36.asp?skiArea=36 and staying in a lodge at the skifield for the last week of August. I would never have thought of taking control solution. I'll take some extra sets as well!
I hate being cold :( and the thought of dealing with D and skiing and snowplay and busy nights and cooking for all the kids isn't appealing to me at all. I suppose I should be thankful that I will be one of the parents who will be "allowed" to go :rolleyes: