Tip for storing insulins

[Meridith and Zeke]

When storing your insulin in your fridge, don't assume that because it isn't the freezer, that the temps can't be at freezing.

Since Lantus doesn't need to have a lot of jarring around to help make it last longer, we put ours in a bowl and sat it at the back of the fridge. Well, the day before yesterday was checking some green leaf lettuce that was sitting near the insulin, and it was starting to freeze!Of course I immediately moved the insulin towards the front of the fridge and had my hubby bring me a thermometer home. Where we were keeping the Lantus was sitting at 34-35 fahrenheit, almost freezing! Where the lettuce was, was at freezing! I now keep it at the front of the shelf in the middle of the fridge, and the thermometer is placed so I can see the temp easily when I look anytime I get in the fridge.

 

[Alicia & Maggie (GA)]

Great tip, thanks!

 

[Barbara & Uncle (GA)]

Good point. I've had things near the back of the fridge freeze as well. Some people don't like to store it near the front because of the potential temp changes from opening the door. It's never been a problem for me, so up front it is!

 

[Meridith and Zeke]

I read that Lantus freezing completely ruins it, so don't want that. Even when cooking dinner with frequent door openings, the area where I have the insulin sitting now only goes up by about 5 degrees. So not much fluctuation and much better then it freezing. It goes through much more temp fluctuations when I pull the pen out for drawing his dose.

 

[Barbara & Uncle (GA)]

It goes through much more temp fluctuations when I pull the pen out for drawing his dose.

That's exactly what I figured when I read about not putting it up front near the door!