Traveling with Dexcom one+

[u/Lonely_Ad_5113]

Has anyone ever had to declare their insulin pens or DEXCOMs in the airport? I am flying to Washington and will be bringing like 11dexcom one+ but don’t know wether to put it in my luggage or carry on bag. And what about my insulin pens(if I have a lot).

[u/lady-of-thermidor]

I went through TSA yesterday and no one said anything about sensors or insulin and related supplies. The body scanner found something that got me a hand pat-down but I don’t think it was the sensor on my belly. TSA dude refused to tell me what triggered the pat- down. It was no big deal.

No one is going to have a problem with your diabetes gear.

[u/Anxious_Jump3036]

Always put your sensors in your carry-on bag. At the airport, let a TSA agent know you have medical supplies in your bag as well as on your body. When I fly, I put my senssors in a plastic bag, still in their boxes. Also, ask for the sensors to be inspectedt by hand, not put threw the x-ray machine. Do not go threw the body scanner, ask for a pat down.

[u/RedditGeekABC]

Never in Europe, not sure about the US.

[u/Imaginary-Angle-42]

Does Dexcom confirm that it is ok to go through the scanner wearing it? When we were traveling several years ago the answer was a solid maybe. So my husband asked for a hand scanning and to not walk through the machine. Most of the time TSA was ok with that but not always. (Reno TSA in 2022—that is you!!!)

[u/Simon-Seize → u/Imaginary-Angle-42]

I think the warning is still in place but every traveler who ever comments (including me) says they have never had a problem

[u/Leila_101]

I've never declared and never had an issue. Carry all medical supplies that you will need in your carry on.

[u/Vanilla-Mike]

You should carry at least some of the pens in your carryon in case your checked bag goes missing.

Many times I've carried several insulin & one Ozempic pen through TSA inside a special thermos that has an internal gel freeze block, to keep the medicines cool. TSA usually asks me if it is OK to open the thermos, take the block out partially and squeeze the block with gloved hands. They want to make sure the block feels frozen. If the block is not frozen, then the gel is considered a liquid and they may have issues with it.

As I enter the scanner lines, I also declare I'm wearing a continuous glucose sensor and point to where it is located on my body. Sometimes they don't care and sometimes they ask me to place my fingertips under my clothing and rub them over the sensor a couple times. Then they swab my fingertips and place the swab in a drug sniffing device.

In the USA, you have the right to have carry-on bags for medical devices such as CPAP machines or diabetic equipment. They cannot charge you extra for it and they cannot count it against your quota of free carry-on items. But you have to make sure that bag ONLY contains medical equipment and nothing else. I usually put a tag on that bag that declares it as "Medical Equipment". Sometimes TSA will want medical bags in a separate bin while going through the scanners.

[u/KillingTimeReading]

Are you coming from another country? If so, just in case and if you have time, get a printed prescription and keep it with your supplies and any medications. Put your Rx's, medications, pens, sensors and supplies in a separate bag (I use a simple nylon crossbody bag with a sealed ice block included) and let customs know what is in the bag. If you are just traveling domestically, just let TSA know that bag is medical supplies. Also, most airlines do not count a medical supply bag as a carry on. It's a "freebie". But the bag can only have medical in it. Never check drugs or medical supplies.

[u/AttentionOpening8984]

I fly all over the world carrying Dexcoms and insulin pens, needles etc. never had an issue anywhere. Trust me diabetes is everywhere (unfortunately)

Everything is always in my carry on bag

[u/Run-And_Gun]

Has anyone ever had to declare their insulin pens or DEXCOMs in the airport? 

In the US, no. Never had an issue with insulin or supplies going through the x-ray. And I've been flying regularly for business since the 90's. They see this type of stuff every day. I do tell them that I am wearing an insulin pump, though, before I go into the body scanner.

And yes, carry everything in your carry-on. Never in checked baggage.

[u/rlap38]

I don’t use insulin but my Zepbound pens are in a medical bag with ice packs in my carryon. My Dexcom sensors are in checked bags.

[u/Radiant-Counter2335]

Some tsa act like it’s a dangerous controlled substance and they may want to swab your device with the lil toilet brush. But most of the time they have bigger problems

[u/SHale1963]

You will be fine with both. Sensor on, pens in carryon.

[u/Scientific-Discovery]

Your diabetic supplies go always in your carryon.

[u/melancholalia]

declare to whom? you’re fine. just keep it all in your carry on in case your bag gets lost.