Time Zones

Managing Time Zones

There’s no rulebook when it comes to adjusting basal rates for different time zones. When planning a trip, consult with your endocrinologist or diabetes educator to discuss your trip itinerary and any adjustments that may be needed for travel. Remember to carry a list of your basal rates and other pump settings with you.

You can set your pump time to match your destination at any time during the flight, but most people change their pump time when they land. Just don’t forget to do it, because your basal rate settings may be quite different overnight compared with during the day! If you don’t change the time, you may get too much insulin when you are sightseeing and not enough during the night. This can be quite dangerous.