August 28, 2025

So, you’ve probably heard about continuous glucose monitors, or CGMs. For a long time, if you wanted one, you needed a prescription. But things are changing. Recently, the FDA gave the green light for over-the-counter sales of a CGM called the Stelo Glucose Biosensor System from Dexcom. This is pretty big news, not just for people with diabetes, but also for anyone looking to get a better handle on their health and make smarter food choices by keeping an eye on their blood sugar. A doctor from Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology is here to explain what this stelo glucose monitor is all about. Key Takeaways The Stelo Glucose Monitor is a new option that doesn’t require a prescription, making continuous glucose monitoring more accessible. It tracks glucose levels every 15 minutes and sends the data to your smartphone, helping you understand how food and lifestyle affect your body. While useful for general health tracking and diet insights, it lacks the high/low glucose alerts found in prescription CGMs. The stelo glucose monitor can be a tool for both people with and without diabetes to gain insights into their metabolic health. It’s important to know that OTC CGMs like Stelo have some limitations compared to devices that require a doctor’s order. Understanding the Stelo Glucose Monitor So, what exactly is this Stelo glucose monitor everyone’s talking about? Think of it as a tiny gadget that sticks to your body and keeps tabs on your glucose levels all day and all night. It’s a pretty big deal because, for a long time, getting your hands on a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) meant you needed a prescription from your doctor. But now, with Stelo, that’s changing. What is a Continuous Glucose Monitor? Basically, a CGM is a small device that you wear on your skin. It has a tiny sensor that goes just under the skin to measure glucose in the fluid between your cells. This isn’t blood glucose, mind you, but the glucose in the interstitial fluid. There’s a slight delay, usually about 15 to 45 minutes, between your blood glucose and this interstitial fluid glucose. It’s like a train; your blood glucose is the engine, and the interstitial fluid reading is the caboose – they get there, but with a little gap in time. This continuous tracking gives you a picture of your glucose trends over time, showing how things like food, exercise, and even sleep affect your levels. It’s a much less intrusive way to monitor your glucose compared to the old-school finger pricks, which you used to have to do multiple times a day. How the Stelo Glucose Monitor Works The Stelo system is made up of a sensor and a transmitter. You put the sensor on, and it starts measuring your glucose. The transmitter then sends that information wirelessly to an app on your smartphone. This means you can check your glucose levels anytime, anywhere, just by looking at your phone. It’s pretty neat because you can see how your glucose changes in response to what you eat, when you exercise, and how well you sleep. This kind of data can really help you understand your body better. For example, you might notice that a certain meal causes a big spike in your glucose, or that a good night’s sleep helps keep your levels more stable. This information is useful for anyone looking to manage their health more proactively, even if they don’t have diabetes. A glucose biosensor provides insights into your body’s responses to diet, exercise, sleep, and stress. Understanding these patterns can help you optimize your health and well-being, even without a diabetes diagnosis. Understanding these patterns Stelo Glucose Monitor: A Prescription-Free Option This is where Stelo really stands out. Historically, CGMs were only available with a doctor’s order. But the FDA has now approved Stelo for over-the-counter (OTC) sales. This makes it much more accessible for people who want to keep an eye on their glucose without needing a prescription. It’s a big step forward for making this technology available to a wider audience. This means you can buy it directly, much like you would buy vitamins or other health-related items. It opens up the possibility for more people to use CGMs to support healthier lifestyles and make more informed choices about their diet and activity. Benefits of Using the Stelo Glucose Monitor So, why would someone want to use a device like the Stelo CGM? It really comes down to getting a clearer picture of what’s happening inside your body, especially with your glucose levels. It’s not just for people who have diabetes anymore; lots of folks are using these to just live a bit healthier. Monitoring Glucose for Healthier Lifestyles Think about it – most of us don’t really know how our food, sleep, or even stress levels affect our bodies on a day-to-day basis. A CGM like Stelo gives you that insight. You can see how your glucose changes throughout the day, not just a single snapshot. This can help you make better choices about what you eat and when, and how your daily activities play a role. It’s like having a personal health coach right on your phone. Proactive Health Management with Glucose Data Instead of waiting for a problem to pop up, using a CGM lets you be more proactive. You can spot trends early. For example, you might notice that certain foods consistently cause a spike in your glucose, or that a good night’s sleep really helps stabilize things. This kind of information lets you make adjustments before issues become bigger health concerns. It’s about understanding your body’s signals and responding to them. Keeping an eye on your glucose trends can be a simple yet powerful way to take charge of your well-being. It’s about using data to make informed decisions that support your long-term health goals. Understanding Glucose Trends and Diet This is where things get really interesting for many people. You can literally see the impact of