Type 1 Diabetes
In America, Type 1 Diabetes (T1D for short) feels like a well-known condition. Coming to Seoul, I assumed it would be just as notable in Korea. However, much to my surprise, this was not the case.
Studying for an entire semester abroad in Seoul, I could only bring so many diabetes supplies with limitations from insurance and luggage space. It was inevitable that I’d eventually run out of something, which, on this trip, was testing strips for my meter. As a matter of fact, I had to buy a whole new meter here for various reasons: my old one was breaking, and the specific model of my meter wasn’t produced in Korea, so finding strips for it was impossible. It also turns out that the company discontinued the meter I brought from home this year, so strips couldn’t be sent from home. Acquiring a new meter and strips was a multi-step process in South Korea, beginning with a quarterly endocrinologist appointment.
Visiting An Endocrinologist
Visiting an endocrinologist in a foreign country in a language I wasn’t yet fluent in was daunting. But thanks to the help of TEAN, my Korean TEAN crew provided me with the information to reach out to the international branch of Korea University’s (my host university) hospital to set up an appointment with the endocrinology department.
On the day of my appointment, I arrived very early, which is what I would recommend for any doctor—especially a new one. At the KU hospital, the international section is on the first floor by the hospital entrance. I checked in for my appointment and was provided a translator who guided me through the hospital. They also asked basic questions and took notes to answer the doctors. One thing I will point out is that the translators may not know about T1D (or the details of any medical condition, for that matter), as their job is just to translate. They may ask questions that seem ridiculous or “common knowledge” but are not for them specifically or culturally. What American society and doctors know about T1D is very different from what South Korea seems to know, which was, in my perspective, minimal. I found myself frustrated by having to explain basic details of my condition and why I did certain things or used certain medications.
On top of that, it took me a while to make them believe I even had T1D. I had to show the front desk my blood glucose monitoring kit, my medication list, and my doctor’s note I sent to KU to be admitted and approved to travel to Seoul, as well as explain how long I’ve had the condition (17 years) and when I was diagnosed. Thankfully, they eventually sent me through to the endocrinologist for my primary purpose: getting my A1C checked and a new meter and strips.
Getting An A1C Test
Hospitals and doctors’ offices in South Korea work differently than in America. You’re not waiting in a room to be seen but in a lobby. Then, you’re shuffled into an office space with a doctor and assistant, usually for a maximum of five minutes, and sent out. This was my experience at the KU endocrinologist department.
In America, I’m used to having my meter taken away for my numbers to be recorded and my A1C checked via a finger prick, but this was not the case in Seoul. They did not take my meter, ask about my recent blood sugars, or prick my finger. (They also don’t use the term “A1C” like in America. A1C can refer to hemoglobin or glycohemoglobin, as well as HbA1c—the term the KU endocrinologists used.) In fact, I had to specifically request for my A1C (or HbA1c) to be taken and for my needed medications. This was not a simple finger prick but a blood draw in the hospital lab department. It was surprising since I’d never had a small vial of blood removed to check my A1C. Getting the results back meant another brief sit-down in the endocrinologist’s office the next day, where they discussed my results, handed me the paper of the result, and sent me on my way.
Acquiring Diabetes Medication in Seoul
An interesting fact I learned from the endocrinologist at KU Hospital was that T1D supplies like a meter, strips, lancets, and pen tips are over the counter and not prescription. However, only some pharmacies sell T1D supplies. I could buy a new meter and strips standard in South Korea at the hospital pharmacy but not the typical corner or local 약 stores around campus or Seoul.
The meter I bought as a replacement for my then-broken one was the Aviva Guide since I knew I could get that back in America on my home insurance. For one box of 50 strips, it was 25,000 won without national Korean health insurance. The meter itself was around 60-70k won. I found T1D supplies only at specific pharmacies, which I learned will label themselves outside as having T1D supplies or being a vendor for them, as shown in the picture below. For reference: 당뇨병 (<- diabetes) 소모성재료 (<-supplies) 판매업소 (<- pharmacy) 등록약국 (<- vendor).
Yet, not all labeled pharmacies may have the exact model or brand of supplies you might use or need. A safe bet for these supplies is the hospital pharmacy. Many pharmacies around campus didn’t carry the specific model of strips I needed for my new meter, so I returned to the hospital pharmacy I knew had them.
Recommendations As a Type 1 Diabetic Studying Abroad
This goes for any individual with a chronic medical condition, but especially for my fellow T1D: Come with as many supplies from back home as possible, especially if your insurance covers it. This will save you more money and time than finding new supplies—especially if they’re not standard in your host country.
Also, bring an endocrinologist and physician’s note stating your medical conditions and needs, as many doctors will ask for proof of said condition and your list of medications. The list will help show pharmacists and doctors what dosage, brand, model, etc., you need for certain supplies. That way, they can write the proper prescriptions if required or provide them over the counter, if possible.
Another recommendation is to make sure the supplies you bring from home—for instance, your brand of meter, strips, insulin, lancets, etc.—can be found in your host country. If not, I recommend switching (if financially possible) to a brand accessible there. For example, I switched from the Aviva Plus (discontinued now in America and Seoul) to the Aviva Guide meter and strips, which is standard in both America and Seoul. I also brought backup meters and supplies in case anything happened to what I primarily use. This leads me to my final piece of advice: Bring backup supplies and backups of your backups, make sure everything is fresh and not expired, and double-check that nothing is being discontinued anytime soon.
Emma Gullen, University of Iowa, is studying abroad in South Korea with TEAN.
