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 reasonably priced and accessible possibility for individuals with prediabetes and sort 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, robotically sending the info to a smartphone. It will possibly present an unmatched alternative to grasp how life-style choices like meals and train instantly affect blood sugar concentrations.
Right here’s a more in-depth have a look at the Stelo, with insights from Jake Leach, Chief Working Officer at Dexcom.
The Worth of CGM Information
As we speak, most insurance coverage firms are reluctant to reimburse the price of a CGM for individuals who don’t use insulin. However CGM information for these with prediabetes or sort 2 diabetes can nonetheless be actually priceless.
“We have already got the proof on the advantages of CGM in sort 1 diabetes,” defined Leach. “We all know it improves time-in-range and reduces A1C ranges. We all know it might do the identical for individuals with prediabetes and sort 2 who aren’t utilizing insulin.”
CGM information in sort 2 diabetes has demonstrated the identical advantages plus lowered total medical prices — fewer journeys to the emergency room, fewer total dependence on the hospital system, and extra motivation to take drugs as prescribed.
Analysis additionally confirmed important enhancements in A1C ranges when individuals with sort 2 diabetes use a CGM with non-insulin diabetes drugs in comparison with drugs alone.
Leach explains these constructive leads to a approach that most individuals with diabetes ought to have the ability to perceive: When an individual can see the affect of their drugs and life-style habits, it might 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 every single day with lunch. And somebody with sort 2 diabetes is significantly extra prone to proceed taking their glucose-lowering drugs if they’ll see the real-time affect it has on their blood sugar ranges.
There are almost 140 million individuals throughout the nation with diabetes or prediabetes. “The Stelo is an excellent instrument to assist them perceive their life-style habits and the place they’ll make modifications. We’ve all been advised what you must do, however once you truly see your individual information, it actually exhibits you what’s taking place,” mentioned Leach.
The info can provide priceless motivation.
“We’ve seen that one hundred pc of customers make modifications to their weight loss plan due to CGM information,” mentioned 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 here are the short info you’ll want to know concerning the Stelo CGM — and why it’s most likely not superb 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 through Bluetooth to the app in your smartphone
- Measures glucose ranges each quarter-hour
- Is wearable for as much as 15 days
- Might be inserted simply at residence with none coaching
- Is waterproof
Stelo is accessible 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 straight from Dexcom. A subscription plan affords two Stelo sensors for $89.
Stelo Differs from Earlier Dexcom Fashions
The largest distinction between Stelo and the Dexcom G7 is that Stelo doesn’t sound alarms for top or low blood sugar values. Individuals who don’t use insulin (or sure glucose-lowering medicine, equivalent 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 individuals with diabetes who do use insulin. In case you take insulin, your blood sugar can fluctuate extra usually, simply, and dramatically.
As an alternative, 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 individual within the affect of their choices round what they eat or drink, serving to them perceive what brought about the spike,” defined Leach.
Understanding the trigger creates a possibility to make completely different decisions. Stelo has the potential to empower easy however impactful modifications in what an individual eats or drinks because of the within have a look at blood glucose ranges.
One other Over-the-Counter Choice is Coming Quickly
Stelo will be the first over-the-counter CGM accessible in the USA, however Dexcom’s largest competitor, Abbott Laboratories, is shut on their heels. Abbott lately 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 individuals with diabetes. With quickly rising charges of weight problems, prediabetes, and diabetes, extra choices imply extra entry to this doubtlessly life-changing expertise.
“We hope to see that the Stelo has made an affect on the growing charges of weight problems and sort 2 diabetes,” says Leach. “Hopefully Stelo can curb these numbers and alter the curve.”
