Dexcom and Abbott will soon start selling glucose monitoring devices without a prescription
DexCom Inc. DXCM and AbbottLaboratories ABT are likely to launch their first over-the-counter (OTC) continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) in the coming months of 2024.
Dexcom’s Stelo and Abbott’s Lingo & Libre Rio received FDA clearance in March and June this year, respectively, and now they are up for launch in the coming months of 2024. These devices use the same hardware as past CGMs but are intended for people who do not take insulin.
I want to see some user reviews of these, because I want to get a CGM come November, as that’s when I’ll start my big polypharmacy push. I’m going to stagger the meds, so I can monitor the impact of each on BG, first bempedoic acid + ezetimibe, acarbose, then empagliflozin, then rapa, monitoring all along. It’ll take about a year or so before I’m comfortable that I know how my body is responding to all these meds.
That means I’ll be wearing a CGM for some 12-18 months. So I want to be sure I’m getting something that’s both accurate and convenient at a reasonable cost.
How do these OTC CGMs differ from their current top prescription devices?
Following up on CronusTempi’s post: I am also thinking about getting a CGM. A concern: how well do they stay adhered if you swim laps regularly (3 times per week) as I do? What about sauna, hot whirlpool/spa? Would appreciate having others’ experience with CGM’s, tips, what to look out for. EG The Stelos measures every 15 minutes, not 5. Is that important?
I placed my order this morning. I hope the sensors are better than their website. I was unable to establish an account using my phone. Using a PC I was able to create an account and order, but the site is poorly designed, and the steps are redundant.
Ive tried the freestyle 2 before, and they stay on OK, for someone who does a lot of exercise. I dont swim, so I would imagine they’d last less time. However with a cycle and maybe a run every day/every other day, it lasted around 10 days before it’d start to get a bit itchy and the tape would start peeling. Absolutely this is with a tegaderm over it also, to keep it in place better.
Why in the world would you need a transparent cover patch for a CGM? Just search on Amazon(or anywhere) for “CGM cover patch” and you’ll see a ton of non-transparent ones much cheaper.
And I know it’s rude to say but “Use the SEARCH, Luke!” There’s loads of good info here on the forum about CGMs - their accuracy, using finger pricks to calibrate, etc.
Also on the 15 min updates vs 5…Reddit user says “Currently wearing a Stelo and using the app . It tracks blood glucose every five minutes in the graph, but only shows you the most recent in 15 minute increments.” https://www.reddit.com/r/dexcom/comments/1f1mlfh/stelo_is_now_live/
The Stelo uses the same hardware as the Dexcom G7 so you can expect the same accuracy.
One of the interesting tidbits that I had missed and discovered with the search here for CGM is this - tech for continuous glucose monitoring with a non-invasive device (like a watch) that you could take off and on.
I have tried a CGM recently. I did have a problem keeping it on my arm. If you do physical activity with intense sweating it will come easily. 1st monitor lasted about 3 days on my arm. 2nd monitor lasted about 5 days. Have not used the 3rd monitor yet. Waiting for the cool weather in the fall to see if I can make it the 10 days with one on my arm. I did find the feed back interesting.
In my experience, during general living conditions, the new freestyle libre 3 stays adhered much better than the newer dexcom. (Not the brand new non rx dexcom). Dexcom even provides and additional sticker to place on top in order to help the cause.
I get them, ahem, foc. You are right though, tegaderm to buy online is probably overkill with cheaper alternative available. I will say though that 3M products tend to provide much superior adherence so if you get anything, get ones with that glue incorporated into the cover.
One important thing to note is that you’ll need to select a “target range” for your glucose measurements to stay inside, based on whether or not you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes. The target range for Type 2 diabetes goes up to 180 milligrams per deciliter and appears to be the standard range doctors use for looking at glucose across all populations. People withoutType 2 diabetes or prediabetes will be given a lower target range to stay beneath during most of the day at 140 mg/dL.
Much of my concern and confusion throughout this whole process comes to how often my glucose levels should exceed 140 mg/dL, which is the target limit for people without Type 2 diabetes. While the past couple of weeks I’ve been more aligned with the suggested goal of spending 96% of time in the “green,” I definitely can’t say it’s been that way from the jump.
Basically, I’ve been trying to find out whether I should be worried about insulin resistance, which is when the body doesn’t respond as well to the blood sugar regulating hormone. If left unchecked, insulin resistance leads to Type 2 diabetes, which is associated with other health problems.
What tracking my blood sugar with the Stelo taught me
I learned there are still a lot of questions we don’t have answers for when tracking glucose in the general population. For example, how meaningful are the differences in terms of long-term health or overall wellness between people with varying glucose levels or spikes? Health guidance around blood sugar seems to revolve around “disease” vs. “no disease.”
From a public health standpoint, more people wearing glucose monitors will encourage more research and help inform what it means to be “metabolically healthy” – a goal post I still don’t feel confident is sturdy enough at the end of writing this review.
You are right though, tegaderm to buy online is probably overkill with cheaper alternative available. I will say though that 3M products tend to provide much superior adherence so if you get anything, get ones with that glue incorporated into the cover.