The Stelo steady glucose monitor (CGM) is now on the market; it’s the first over-the-counter CGM accessible in the USA. Made by Dexcom, Stelo goals to offer an inexpensive and accessible possibility for folks with prediabetes and kind 2 diabetes who don’t use insulin.
Like different CGMs, the Stelo attaches to the pores and skin and samples blood sugar ranges across the clock, mechanically sending the info to a smartphone. It may well present an unmatched alternative to grasp how life-style choices like meals and train instantly influence blood sugar concentrations.
Right here’s a more in-depth take a look at the Stelo, with insights from Jake Leach, Chief Working Officer at Dexcom.
The Worth of CGM Knowledge
At this time, most insurance coverage corporations are reluctant to reimburse the price of a CGM for individuals who don’t use insulin. However CGM information for these with prediabetes or kind 2 diabetes can nonetheless be actually priceless.
“We have already got the proof on the advantages of CGM in kind 1 diabetes,” defined Leach. “We all know it improves time-in-range and reduces A1C ranges. We all know it may well do the identical for folks with prediabetes and kind 2 who aren’t utilizing insulin.”
CGM information in kind 2 diabetes has demonstrated the identical advantages plus lowered general medical prices — fewer journeys to the emergency room, fewer general dependence on the hospital system, and extra motivation to take medicines as prescribed.
Analysis additionally confirmed important enhancements in A1C ranges when folks with kind 2 diabetes use a CGM with non-insulin diabetes medicines in comparison with medicines alone.
Leach explains these constructive leads to a approach that most individuals with diabetes ought to be capable to perceive: When an individual can see the influence of their medicines and life-style habits, it may well change their behaviors.
An individual with prediabetes, for instance, will inevitably be extra motivated to make modifications in what they eat or drink if they’ll watch their blood sugar spike after ingesting a bottle of soda on daily basis with lunch. And somebody with kind 2 diabetes is significantly extra prone to proceed taking their glucose-lowering medicines if they’ll see the real-time influence it has on their blood sugar ranges.
There are practically 140 million folks throughout the nation with diabetes or prediabetes. “The Stelo is an excellent device to assist them perceive their life-style habits and the place they’ll make modifications. We’ve all been advised what you need to do, however whenever you really see your personal information, it actually exhibits you what’s occurring,” stated Leach.
The information can supply priceless motivation.
“We’ve seen that one hundred pc of customers make modifications to their food regimen due to CGM information,” stated Leach. “It’s customized, real-time information that connects the dots between what you eat and the way it impacts your blood sugar. It reinforces wholesome habits.”
Meet the Stelo CGM
Listed below are the fast details it’s worthwhile to know concerning the Stelo CGM — and why it’s most likely not splendid for individuals who take insulin.
Primary Particulars:
- Is concerning the dimension of three stacked quarters — similar because the Dexcom G7
- Attaches to the pores and skin of the higher arm
- Delivers real-time blood glucose information by way of Bluetooth to the app in your smartphone
- Measures glucose ranges each quarter-hour
- Is wearable for as much as 15 days
- Will be inserted simply at house with none coaching
- Is waterproof
Stelo is offered over-the-counter, no prescription mandatory. Anybody with or with out diabetes can purchase one. As of this writing, it prices $99 for a pack of two (one month’s value) when bought on-line instantly from Dexcom. A subscription plan affords two Stelo sensors for $89.
Stelo Differs from Earlier Dexcom Fashions
The most important distinction between Stelo and the Dexcom G7 is that Stelo doesn’t sound alarms for prime or low blood sugar values. Individuals who don’t use insulin (or sure glucose-lowering medication, akin to sulfonylureas) solely hardly ever encounter a hazard of critically excessive or low blood sugar ranges, so this function is basically pointless for Stelo’s supposed clients.
This distinction additionally makes Stelo inappropriate for folks with diabetes who do use insulin. Should you take insulin, your blood sugar can fluctuate extra usually, simply, and dramatically.
As a substitute, Stelo affords a brand new “spike detection” function. This CGM learns what occasions of day your blood sugar tends to considerably spike. The app will ask you what you ate or drank earlier than that spike.
“This function is exclusive to the Stelo,” defined Leach. “It’s actually attempting to have interaction the particular person within the influence of their choices round what they eat or drink, serving to them perceive what precipitated the spike,” defined Leach.
Understanding the trigger creates a chance to make totally different selections. Stelo has the potential to empower easy however impactful modifications in what an individual eats or drinks because of the within take a look at blood glucose ranges.
One other Over-the-Counter Possibility is Coming Quickly
Stelo often is the first over-the-counter CGM accessible in the USA, however Dexcom’s largest competitor, Abbott Laboratories, is shut on their heels. Abbott not too long ago obtained FDA clearance to promote two over-the-counter CGMs, the Libre Lingo and Libre Rio — with the official launch deliberate for this month, September 2024.
That’s excellent news for folks with diabetes. With quickly rising charges of weight problems, prediabetes, and diabetes, extra choices imply extra entry to this doubtlessly life-changing know-how.
“We hope to see that the Stelo has made an influence on the growing charges of weight problems and kind 2 diabetes,” says Leach. “Hopefully Stelo can curb these numbers and alter the curve.”
