Air travel with diabetes

Flying with any medical condition can be a daunting task, so in addition to sharing my own experience flying with biologics, I’m also going to share my partner’s experience traveling with insulin and an insulin pump.

Insulin pumps and TSA screening

The biggest question for someone using an insulin pump is how security screening will work. According to the manufacturers of most insulin pumps, insulin pumps are okay to go through the metal detector, but they aren’t approved to go through x-ray or full body scanners.  My partner has a Medtronic pump, and this is the guideline we followed.

In most cases, this is because the manufacturer hasn’t tested the pumps under x-ray conditions and so can’t guarantee that they’ll come out okay. With something crucial like an insulin pump, it’s undoubtedly the better decision to play it safe, even if it means a little extra hassle.

If you only are asked to go through the metal detector, either because you have TSA pre-check or because you’re lucky, then you can leave the pump attached to your body and walk through the metal detector.  If you have an insulin pump with metal in it, you may set the metal detector off, in which case you may be screened more thoroughly, including testing for traces of explosive materials.

If you’re asked to go through the full body scanner, you’ll have to either disconnect your pump or tell them you can’t go through the scanner. If you don’t want to disconnect the pump, you may go through a metal detector or receive a pat-down. Regardless, your pump will probably be checked for traces of explosive materials.

Bringing insulin through the airport

The TSA says that you should have your insulin and other diabetes supplies with you if you have an insulin pump, probably to make sure your pump is legitimately for medical reasons. Luckily, medically necessary liquids, gels, and aerosols are exempt from the 3-1-1 limits used by the TSA. That includes what you need to keep your medicine the right temperature and also any liquids you need to regulate your blood sugar (juice). Never check bags with insulin, because the changes in temperature and pressure checked bags undergo can damage it.

Pack your insulin as you need to in order to carry it properly. We traveled with a few vials in an insulated bag. Importantly, Insulin is okay to go through x-ray screening. If you have TSA pre-check, you can even leave the insulin in your bag, which we did without a problem. If you don’t have pre-check, taking it out of your bag and having it screened separately will probably get you through fastest.

What about documentation?

Many sites and forums have advice about bringing documentation from your doctor that you have a given condition. This may make the process easier, but it’s not required. My partner and I have both traveled numerous times without any notes from our doctors, so if you’re worried because you forgot to get one, it’s no big deal. (If you’re traveling internationally, check requirements for countries you’ll be screened in.)

The TSA does suggest, however, that you label your medication (although even this isn’t required, necessarily). I’ve found that it’s easiest to leave the medication in the package that it came it, with the prescription on it, if possible.

If you do have medical documentation, you can present it to TSA officers to help them understand your needs. You can also present them with a  printable medical notification card that is provided on their website, if that makes you feel more comfortable.

It’s important to remember that, even if you do have documentation, you’re not exempt from further examination if the TSA officers feel it’s necessary. This is because anyone could then get medical documentation and smuggle dangerous materials, as the TSA explains here.  As much as it can be a hassle, the screening process is there for the safety of everybody.

Airport security can be a confusing experience. I hope that covered the most pressing questions about traveling with diabetes, and if I missed something, feel free to ask in the comments!

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-Bri

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