TSA screenings update for people with diabetes
Back in November, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) introduced new airport body scanners for passengers. We know that travelling with diabetes can be a bit nerve-wracking for some (just ask Karen Graffeo or Kelly Kunik). So it's no wonder that, six months later, airport security is still a hot topic coming into our 24-hour Helpline.
With summer/vacation season coming up, we thought now would be a good time to share our updated guidance on going through airport security with diabetes devices and supplies.
Remember, this information applies if you're travelling within the U.S. If you're travelling internationally, you should consult individual air carriers for international regulations. In addition, these tips are subject to change so please also check with the TSA.
Insulin Pumps, Personal CGM and Security
- You can continue to wear your insulin pump or continuous glucose monitor (CGM) only while going through common security systems such as an airport metal detector as it will not harm the device or trigger an alarm.
- Do not send your devices through the x-ray machine as an alternative.
- Medtronic has conducted official testing on the effects of the new full body scanners at airports with Medtronic medical devices and have found that some scanners may include x-ray. If you choose to go through an airport body scanner, you must remove your insulin pump and CGM (sensor and transmitter). Do not send your devices through the x-ray machine as an alternative. To avoid removing your devices, you may request an alternative screening process.
- Print and complete the information on an airport emergency card to carry with you.
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Notify security screeners that you have diabetes, that you are wearing an insulin pump and are carrying supplies with you.
Syringes, Supplies and Security
- In order to board with syringes and other insulin delivery devices, you must carry an insulin vial with a pharmaceutical label that clearly identifies the medication. Never store insulin in checked luggage, because it may be exposed to extreme (often freezing) temperatures, which can change its effectiveness.
- Carry your glucagon in its original, pharmaceutically labeled container.
- Boarding with lancets will be allowed as long as the lancets are capped and they are carried along with a glucose meter with the manufacturer's name embossed on the meter.
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Should you encounter difficulty when trying to pass through airport security, ask to speak with the TSA ground security commissioner.
Blog comments
I travel for work, which requires significant air travel (foreign and domestic, ~200,000 miles flown per year). I've been pumping for 10 years, and just started with the CGM two weeks ago. I always where my pump through the metal detector at security. If all other metal is removed, the detector does't alarm. In the USA, this is usually followed up by the hand swabbing mentioned previously. This is now a much improved process over what it was even a few years ago.
Many of the airports in the US are now using the "millimeter Wave" technology full body scanner, which has a sign posted by it noting that it does not use X-Ray. I have worn my pump through these scanners many times, and there have been no noted issues. I have not warn the CGM through yet, since today I was routed through the metal detector.
My question the Medtronic is this: your advice is to not use the full body scanners as some of these in use may use X-Ray technology. So, if the scanner specifically states that it is Millimeter Wave, and not X-Ray, is this alright to go through?
Clarification on these different types of scanners would be greatly appreciated. As for international travel, I've been very lucky in that whenever I explain that it is an insulin pump, they have never required me to take it off for the Xray.
Thanks!
That is a good question, Lane. Since we haven’t tested our devices with the millimeter wave scanners, we still recommend that you avoid all body scanners. You can continue to wear your pump and CGM while going through an airport metal detector. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
What exactly does the x-ray does to a pump? I have been putting my pump through the x-ray machine just to get through the metal detector faster for more than 10 years. I am not aware that it harmed my pump. Thank you.
Mary Beth, The magnetic fields and radiation in the immediate vicinity of these devices can make them nonfunctional or damage the part of the pump that regulates insulin delivery, possibly resulting in over delivery and severe hypoglycemia. That is why we recommend that you remove your insulin pump and CGM while going through an airport body scanner and not send your insulin pump through the x-ray machine. If your pump is inadvertently exposed to a magnetic field, you should discontinue use and contact our 24 Hour HelpLine for further assistance. If there is anything else I can do to help, please let me know.
So if the advice is to "remove your insulin pump and CGM while going through an airport body scanner and not send your insulin pump through the x-ray machine", then what are we supposed to do with the pump? If we can't wear it, hold it, or send it through xray, what's the alternative?
I see repetetive, stock answers here to the same suggestions and complaints: Why isn't Medtronics supplying the TSA with a list of devices that cannot go through body scanners and x-rays? Why is it up to the customer to have to explain, educate and rationalize this to TSA agents, which creates an atmosphere of tension and confusion while trying to get a manual pat down? You have to hand them Medtronics cards and literature while you're on line, every time! It's ridiculous and it can be resolved by the company getting the TSA educated. Why not?
That’s a great question, Lyn. You can continue to wear your insulin pump and CGM while going through the airport metal detector, as it will not harm the device or trigger an alarm. You can also request an alternative pat-down screening.
Don, I understand your frustration and am sorry for any negative experiences you’ve had while travelling with your insulin pump. Although taking an insulin pump through airport security is quite common and TSA is aware that insulin pumps and CGM’s cannot go through body scanners and x-rays, it is always a good idea to carry the Airport Information Card when travelling. Please let me know if there’s anything else I can help you with.
I was just informed that the NEW body scanner has no X-ray now and is "safe " for the pump and sensor. Was told all the old ones that used a form of X-ray have been replaced. Have you heard this?
Hi Linda. The latest airport body scanner's we have tested interfered with insulin pumps and CGM's, so be sure to remove your diabetes devices before going through these machines.
Unfortunately the Medtronic Medical Emergency Information Card/ Airport Information Card that Medtronic links one to still says "Medtronic has conducted official testing on the effects of the full body scanners at airports with Medtronic medical devices. Some of the new scanners may include x-ray. " It would be most helpful if instead, there was a dated, and updated card that said what you just said, that the latest body scanners tested interfered with insulin pumps and CGMs. If it said 2015, and this, I think we could avoid the hassle when we are told the new body scanners don't have X-ray.
Thanks for your feedback, Linda. We will take your suggestion into consideration when making updates to the Medtronic Medical Emergency and Airport Information card in the future. Should any information change, we’ll be sure to let the community know.
Sara, I'd like to know which airport body scanners were tested and what do you mean by "interfered with insulin pumps and CGM's". What test results or symptoms were observed after a pump/CGM was scanned?
I am so tired of TSA agents that insist that since the body scanners don't use x-ray it is okay for pumps to go through them. I had a 3 bar TSA officer tell me that the training they get from pump manufacturers is that the body scanners don't affect pumps. I'd really like to know who is right.
Also, how are you supposed to remove your CGM once it is properly taped on? It seems that the only real option is to opt out and request a pat down.
Looking forward to answers from Sara and/or Medtronic and anyone who has experience or comments to make. Thanks.
Hi Karen. We recommend either going through the metal detector, as it will not harm your devices, or requesting a pat down. If you do go through a body scanner, including the new scanners, you need to remove your devices. You would need to remove your CGM, and put a new one in, which is why we recommend a metal detector or a pat down. Be sure you do not put your devices through the x-ray machine. We do have an airport emergency card that you can download, print and bring with you to the airport to help explain your devices to airport officials. You can download it here: http://bit.ly/1gXBxBd. I hope this helps!
Do you have any statistics on the pump/sensor problems after TSA screenings and exactly what sort of problems occur?? Does it go completely dead...lose some of the programming....take on a life of its own and give random boluses????I have traveled with a pump for at least 15 years and CGM for 3 or 4 and have never had any issues whatsoever. Both have survived the x ray body scan numerous times in the US, Mexico, Central America and a couple of places in Europe and Israel. My backup pump has gone through the carry on luggage xray and although I haven't needed it, the last time I but a battery in in, it appeared that it would work just fine. I set off a metal detector once in France right after a terrorist attack during a period of increased security. The problem there was mostly due to a language barrier. I have also never needed any medical documentation anywhere. Perhaps I'm just lucky or ignorance is bliss??? I recently read something about pump problems and the TSA, so I decided to investigate. I'm finding all of this very surprizing. The only problem I do have which is probably due to some kind of xray interference is that my sensor sometimes "gets lost" when I'm working in a medical building where I'm close to the radiology department. As soon as I leave the building, I can "find the lost sensor" with no lasting ill effects.
Cindy, the nearby magnetic fields and radiation from x-rays, MRI, diathermy treatment, CT scan or any other type of radiation can render your devices nonfunctional or damage the part of the pump that regulates insulin delivery. I will have a member of my team reach out to further discuss.
Hi Carrie,
I am frustrated with Medtronic. I am a physician and 23 year Minimed/Medtronic pump user, and in the recent years also use the CGM system. I'm also a frequent flyer. I last posted nearly a year ago, and nothing about this issue has really changed.
All I, and a number of this blogs' posters want, is an official written Medtronic document of some kind, (not a blog print out) that clarifies that Medtronic insulin pumps and CGM transmitters are unable to safely go though the airport scanners, regardless of whether they do or do not use Xray technology. That Medtronic's position is that such exposure exposes the passenger to harm.
As I, and others, have pointed out, your Airport Information on the Emergency Medical Card continues to leave your dedicated Medtronic customers in the middle between TSA and Medtronic on this issue. It says the following (cut and paste).:
"Medtronic has conducted of cial testing on the effects of the full body scanners at airports with Medtronic medical devices. Some of the new scanners may include x-ray. To avoid removing your devices, you may request an alternative screening process. If you choose to go through a full body scanner, you must remove your insulin pump and CGM (sensor and transmitter). Do not send your devices through the x-ray machine as an alternative."
The comment that "Some of the new scanners may include X-ray." implies that the X-ray technology is the (only) reason that the pump and CGM cannot go through the scanner. You tell us that that is not the only reason.. On the phone, Medtronic reps will tell us verbally that this is not the only reason. It borders on the absurd that no one at Medtronic appears to be able to provide this information officially, and in writing.
All I seem to be left to do is check on how the other pump manufacturers deal with this and despite 23 years with you, maybe make the jump when the next pump is due. I am flying more, and face another difficult international security screening next week. Despite another long call with Medtronic today, I will go with nothing from Medtronic to back up the claims that you tell me to make regarding airport scanners.
Linda
I am a frequent traveler and have been for many years. While it would be nice to have the TSA follow a simple rule, it is not realistic for a variety of reasons. Just as with any medical issue, we are responsible for our own safety and we have the ob ligation to stand up for ourselves.
When it was not popular, I refused to go through the full-body machines and would sometimes be ridiculed by the TSA officer. I would request another and also that persons name and ID and a supervisor. Their ignorance has to be met and addressed. They work for us and we should not be treated poorly because of a medical disability.
Now, there is a way to avoid most of this. Get Pre-Check or Global Entry. I did so many years ago. I am hassled far less frequently and the screeners realize we are the frequent travelers and are the experienced in the process.
The bottom line is the TSA would not isolate, ridicule or in anyway malign a person with a prosthetic device...it just is not politically correct and we should not accept any discriminatory treatment for our disability.
I have also written my congressman and senators and the TSA...the squeaky wheel gets the oil...
I travel lot and I went to body scanner with my pump many time I will said at least 10 times. I wonder if it ok? and my pump seems not have any problem much. What should I do with my insulin pump when I go to security?
Hi Jacqueline, we recommend to ask for a pat down when going through airport security. If you have any questions, here is a link to our website that discusses when it's ok to wear your insulin pump and CGM and when they should be removed: https://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/customer-support/equipment-interferen….
While some airports in some countries use back-scattered X-ray in their full body scanner, others, such as my local airport, use millimeter wave radiation in their FBS. Is it okay to wear the pump through that? I can understand not wearing the CGM transmitter thru X-ray but why would you need to remove (and waste) the sensor itself?
Richard, here is a great link on equipment interference that you can reference, this includes removing a sensor during an X-Ray: https://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/customer-support/equipment-interferen…
Thank you for your quick response. However, the reference did not answer my questions. Since there are 2 varieties of full body scanners does the interference apply to both or only those using back scatter x-rays? The RF (millimeter) scanners use a non-ionizing radiation and the length of the scan and power is insufficient to significantly heat the pump or the CGM sensor and transmitter. I have never removed the sensor when going through airport security - removing it certainly ruins it from further use - while the scan may or maynot shorten it's life - no big deal. I have worn mine through numerous scans without seeing any changes. I think Medtronic owes it's customers more information and more detailed information than what is currently available via the website. There is a big dfference between X-ray and millimeter radiation.
Richard, we have not tested the sensor in this type of setting so we cannot guarantee its safety.
I am not new to insulin pumps and CGM's but am new to Medtronic. At the airport can my unused Guardan Sensors and my transmitter charger go through the X-ray machine in my carry on luggage.
Yes, Janice! Your unopened Guardian Sensor 3 sensors and the charger for your CGM transmitter are safe to be packed in your luggage and go through the x-ray conveyor.
I flew from Dulles to Hartford last month. I handed the TSA Notification Card to the agents at both screening points. In Dulles, I had no problem. They were very nice and did a pat-down. Hartford (Bradley Airport, CT) was another story. The agent looked at the card & said "Insulin Pump? That little plastic thing?" and then directed me to proceed through the scanner. I said no, I needed a pat-down or a wanding. She disagreed. After her telling me "Everyone does" and my disagreeing 3 times, I went through the machine, so as not to miss my flight or be arrested. I was very upset and filed a complaint with TSA. Their disabilities department is currently investigating. I've had trouble controlling my BG since then. Coincidence? I don't know.
Hi, Sue. I'm sure that was frustrating, but I'm glad you were able to catch your flight. If you have concerns about your pump, please give our 24-Hour Technical Support team a call at 800.646.4633, option 1 and our teammates will be happy to help.
Shouldn’t this post be updated? There have been a lot of changes with pumps and the TSA since 2011. Thanks!
We are working on updating and reviewing our past articles, but feel this still has great information for our community. We appreciate your feedback.
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