5 Insulin Mistakes That Could Be Putting Your Health at Risk
Insulin Pen User? Is Your Insulin Safe?
Diabetes Care and Education Specialist
Managing diabetes is a complex and vital process, and without properly functioning insulin, blood sugar can spiral out of control, putting your health—and even your life—at serious risk. Common mistakes can compromise efficacy and jeopardize your health. Ineffective insulin may fail to lower blood sugar, causing hyperglycemia, while prolonged high blood sugar levels increase the risk of acute complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in type 1 diabetes or a hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) in type 2 diabetes, both of which are life-threatening. Proper storage and handling of insulin are crucial to maintaining its effectiveness and protecting overall health.
1. Improper Storage of Insulin
Insulin is highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Exposure to extreme heat or cold—whether in a hot car or a forgotten bag—can degrade its potency. Studies have shown that degraded insulin may lead to erratic blood sugar control, increasing the risk of both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia.1
What to Do: Store your insulin carefully, ensuring it stays within the recommended temperature range. Avoid placing it near heat sources or in direct sunlight. We have found the TempraMed VIVI Cap insulin temperature shield to be a one-of-a-kind insulin protection case. The VIVI Cap is hassle free and easy to use and it doesn’t even require an energy source so it is always ready to go.
2. Using Insulin Beyond Its Viable Period
Even before its official expiration date, opened insulin loses efficacy after 28 days due to exposure to air and temperature variations. Using insulin that is past its prime can result in blood sugar spikes or dips, creating unnecessary health risks.2
What to Do: Write the opening date on your insulin pen and set reminders to replace it after 28 days, even if there’s insulin left in the cartridge.
3. Forgetting When You Last Injected
Losing track of your last insulin dose is more common than you think. Whether you’re busy, distracted, or dealing with multiple daily injections, it’s easy to skip a dose or double-dose accidentally. Both scenarios can have serious health consequences.3
What to Do: Keep a detailed log of your injections, noting the time and dosage. Digital tools and smartphone apps can help streamline this process.
4. Allowing Insulin Pens to Be Exposed to Damage
Insulin pens may seem durable, but they are susceptible to damage from physical impact or environmental exposure. Even small cracks or light exposure can compromise the insulin inside, potentially making it less effective.1 The VIVI Cap also protects insulin pens from physical damage in addition to environmental damage.
What to Do: Handle your insulin pens with care. Store them in a case to avoid accidental impact and protect them from prolonged light exposure.
5. Overlooking the Effects of Stress
Stress doesn’t just affect your mental health—it also impacts your diabetes. Stress can lead to errors like skipped doses, forgotten injection times, or mismanagement of insulin storage.4
What to Do: Build consistent habits and reduce decision fatigue with tools that simplify diabetes management. Having a clear routine can help you avoid stress-related errors.
Taking the Next Step in Insulin Management
Managing insulin effectively is about more than just following the instructions—it’s about creating systems that ensure safety, consistency, and peace of mind. Mistakes can happen to anyone, but the right tools and strategies can help minimize risks and protect your health.
Have you seen the TempraMed VIVI Cap insulin temperature shield?
VIVI Cap offers a smart, all-in-one solution to address these common pitfalls. With features like temperature control and pen protection, VIVI Cap simplifies insulin management, so you can focus on what matters most: living your life to the fullest.
Don't let compromised insulin compromise your health. Stay safe, stay vigilant, and ensure every dose counts with smart insulin management.
- Haywood, A., & Glass, B. D. (2016). Adverse events associated with the use of improperly stored insulin: Temperature abuse and its impact on diabetes management. Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics, 18(8), 547–557. https://doi.org/10.1089/dia.2016.0185
- Garg, S. K., & Hirsch, I. B. (2018). Insulin Storage and Stability: A Critical Reappraisal. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, 12(1), 189–198. https://doi.org/10.1177/1932296817747292
- Warshaw H, Isaacs D, MacLeod J. The Reference Guide to Integrate Smart Insulin Pens Into Data-Driven Diabetes Care and Education Services. The Diabetes Educator. 2020;46(4_suppl):3S-20S. doi:10.1177/0145721720930183
- Jaser, S. S., & White, L. E. (2011). Coping and resilience in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 42(1), 29–41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-011-9262-4
