Seasonal variation in blood glucose levels

 Dr. Bill,

I have been experiencing this too.  I am also finding myself much feeling colder than usual this year--ie. my hands and feet are like ice, not just subjectively, but if someone else touches them. Sometimes the rest of me is very cold at the surface, even when I am warmly dressed.

My guess is that constriction of the blood vessels is causing slower absorption of insulin.  I had a dramatic occurance last week where my blood sugar was surprisingly high 90 minutes after using a standard fast acting dose for a known meal.  I took a hot shower that lasted about ten minues and tested again. My blood sugar dropped 80 mg/dl after the hot shower! 

Since the insulin I use  (Apidra) usually peaks at 1 hour  (along with the food), this was very interesting.

I inject in my thigh because I bruise very badly in the tummy area, but I am thinking that this might not work as well in winter.

I am Indian citizen residing in Punjab.I am having the same experience not with the insulin but with the oral hypoglycemic agent-glimipride.I have to take double the dose during winter season (from December to March).This is happening for last many years.My treating physcians were not able to give satisfactory explanation.I think this phenomenon requires further research rather than brushing it aside as occasional occurance.It has serious clinical implications.

                                                    Paramjit Singh