Dexcom Stelo hands-on OTC glucose monitor review

TL;DR

Dexcom Stelo Review: The Verge reviews Dexcom's over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor aimed at Type 2 diabetics and prediabetics.
$89 Monthly Cost: Two sensors cost $89 per month via subscription, providing 30 days of real-time glucose tracking.
Targeted Health Tool: It offers lifestyle insights to manage blood sugar but lacks real-time alerts and deep data analysis.

The story at a glance

The Verge's Victoria Song tests Dexcom's Stelo, the first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor (CGM) cleared by the FDA for adults with Type 2 diabetes who don't use insulin or for prediabetics. Dexcom announced it at CES 2024, and Song wore it for 14 days to assess ease of use, app features, and value for non-insulin users. This review comes as one of three FDA-cleared OTC CGMs hit the market, targeting lifestyle-driven blood sugar management.

Key points

Stelo targets Type 2 diabetics managing with lifestyle changes or oral meds, and prediabetics aiming to reverse the condition through food and exercise insights.
Application uses a big needle but is painless and easy; a 30-minute calibration follows before real-time glucose data appears in the app.
App shows glucose trends, recommended target ranges by user type, and integrates with iOS/Android health data for sleep and exercise.
Alerts for glucose spikes arrive 20-60 minutes delayed via phone notifications.
Manual meal logging required; no imports from other apps, and limited tools for interpreting data.
Data shareable with doctors via free Clarity app; Song achieved 95% time in target range during testing.
Pricing: $89 monthly subscription for two sensors or $99 one-time for a pack; HSA/FSA eligible.

Details and context

Stelo works like prescription CGMs but skips doctor Rx for over-the-counter access, focusing on non-insulin Type 2 users where insulin resistance builds over time. Song, motivated by family history of Type 2 diabetes and her polycystic ovary syndrome, used it to spot trends like higher averages than prior tests. The app keeps data simple without clutter but lacks long-term views or advanced analysis.

Compared to platforms like Nutrisense for non-diabetics, Stelo emphasizes diabetes management over general wellness. Song notes prerelease app quirks like logging friction may improve as the category grows.

Key quotes

"The pitch of OTC CGMs like Stelo is they could theoretically help people with Type 2 get to manageable levels where they don’t have to take medication. For prediabetics, it could even help them reverse their condition." —Victoria Song

"Overall, I found Stelo easy to use. The data is kept relatively streamlined, without much visual clutter." —Victoria Song on the app

Why it matters

Over-the-counter CGMs like Stelo expand access beyond insulin-dependent users, potentially aiding millions with Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes through everyday insights. For at-risk readers, it means affordable ($89/month) tracking to inform diet and exercise without a prescription, though doctor consultation remains key. Watch app updates for faster alerts and better analysis, and FDA responses to wellness trend misuse.

FAQ

Q: How does Stelo application work?

A: Users follow app-guided steps to insert the sensor, which uses a big needle but feels painless. A 30-minute calibration period follows before real-time glucose data shows up. Song found the process easy overall.

Q: What are Stelo's main app limitations?

A: Alerts for glucose spikes delay 20-60 minutes, meal logging is manual without imports, and data interpretation tools are basic. No long-term historical views appear in the app itself. These may improve in future versions.

Q: Who is Stelo designed for?

A: It's for adults with Type 2 diabetes not using insulin, or prediabetics tracking lifestyle impacts on blood sugar. It helps spot trends from food or exercise to manage or reverse conditions. Type 1 diabetics need prescription CGMs instead.

Q: How much does Stelo cost and what's included?

A: A monthly subscription is $89 for two sensors covering 30 days, or $99 for a single pack. It's HSA- and FSA-eligible with no insurance mention for these users. Data shares to doctors via the free Clarity app.

[[1]](https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/26/24226685/dexcom-stelo-hands-on-continuous-glucose-monitor-wearables)