Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Apple Tested Blood Sugar App for Preventing Diabetes

aleni said:
Yes. It's called eating less carbs than 100g a day and you won't need a blood sample to know that your blood sugar will be fine and stable.
Click to expand...
I switched to a low carb (25g or less) three years ago and was able to reverse my type 2 diabetes within the first 6 months to 1 year. I get my A1C tested every 6 months and intermittently wear a CGM to fine-tune my eating habits. For example: Eating ½ cup of raw carrots alone raises my blood glucose levels by 45 points (mg/dl) but eating them with fat and or protein only raises it by 20 points.
 
  • Like
Reactions: parameter
parameter said:
On the Stelo site it mentions "Adults (18+ years) not on insulin who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes and are not at risk for hypoglycemia, and those interested in tracking their glucose."
Which is where I think it excludes me unfortunately. But thanks for the info. Good to read about it and it should help a lot of people being OTC and also covered under certain health programs.g
Click to expand...
I switched over to the Stelo from the 'Libra 14Day' because it's almost half the price (for those of us who can't get their insurance to cover it). Stelo just received FDA approval for 'over-the-counter' sales without a prescription. And I think to get that approval they have to say it is not meant for somebody who needs to take insulin to control their diabetes. I think but that's I'm not sure. The Stelo is a 14-day sensor as was the Libra 14Day.
 
  • Like
Reactions: parameter
rbbloom99 said:
I switched over to the Stelo from the 'Libra 14Day' because it's almost half the price (for those of us who can't get their insurance to cover it). Stelo just received FDA approval for 'over-the-counter' sales without a prescription. And I think to get that approval they have to say it is not meant for somebody who needs to take insulin to control their diabetes. I think but that's I'm not sure. The Stelo is a 14-day sensor as was the Libra 14Day.
Click to expand...
That makes sense about the regulatory mess that all of that entails.

Just curious, so in the Stelo app, does it allow for setting audible (especially on iOS, these are set as "Critical Alerts" in notifications, so they're always audible) notifications for say, if your glucose drops below say 60, or above 300, and so on - Mainly just a single low and high threshold?

Or is that the type of thing that it might not have due to what you mentioned, the regulatory rules and what they're able to do with it in a "consumer model". If those features are there, that would be a huge bonus and cheaper by far vs the prescription G7, paid at cash value using one of those discount cards which, without looking is around $170/mo at the cheapest pharmacy I can find it at.

I'd definitely give it a try if it can do alerts like that. If I didn't need the G7 and could skip a month, I'd do a trial, but an extra $100 is a lot to handle right now if I did both...but it would be an interesting comparison. I wonder if I could wear the G7 and Stelo at the same time or if they communicate too similarly and wouldn't send the data to the apps correctly. Maybe sometime in the future.
 
drsox said:
Not so. They sample the interstitial fluid not the bloodstream. The two do correlate together (typically a 15min delay between the two). One version last 10 days and another 15 days. Many type 2 diabetics also self-fund a CGM (continuous glucose monitor) to monitor the "realtime" effects of food intake. True that type 1 diabetics get a CGM free in the UK from the NHS. Not so true for other types of diabetics.
Click to expand...
Drsox is "spot on" here.

I've been wearing my 'patch,' aka CGM, for almost a year now, and I have friends with type 1 diabetes who have been wearing a CGM most of their lives. I'm surprised how many comments here are so wildly inaccurate, like experts' comments on how 'the patches' do or don't work.
 
parameter said:
That makes sense about the regulatory mess that all of that entails.

Just curious, so in the Stelo app, does it allow for setting audible (especially on iOS, these are set as "Critical Alerts" in notifications, so they're always audible) notifications for say, if your glucose drops below say 60, or above 300, and so on - Mainly just a single low and high threshold?

Or is that the type of thing that it might not have due to what you mentioned, the regulatory rules and what they're able to do with it in a "consumer model". If those features are there, that would be a huge bonus and cheaper by far vs the prescription G7, paid at cash value using one of those discount cards which, without looking is around $170/mo at the cheapest pharmacy I can find it at.

I'd definitely give it a try if it can do alerts like that. If I didn't need the G7 and could skip a month, I'd do a trial, but an extra $100 is a lot to handle right now if I did both...but it would be an interesting comparison. I wonder if I could wear the G7 and Stelo at the same time or if they communicate too similarly and wouldn't send the data to the apps correctly. Maybe sometime in the future.
Click to expand...
I don't know if there is an audio warning option in the app preferences, but I think I remember this, maybe. (I'm currently between sensors so I can't currently see my alarm options). Like my Libra 14Day monitor, it doesn't have the option to activate an insulin injector and, like the Libra 14Day, the Stelo isn't designed to be that accurate.

I found huge variations from one Libra 14Day sensor to the next one. I always do a finger stick test for the first 3 or 4 days when applying a new sensor and omg, how different the readings are from sensor to sensor (of the same model). But then again, I'm more interested in determining what foods cause what glucose changes in my blood and not the absolute glucose. Libra taught me early on the Libra 14Day is only for relative reference only. In the beginning, I was expecting measurements to be very accurate, only to find that 30% off (high or low) is normal, at least for the Libra 14Day. My first Stelo was consistently 20 points higher than my finger tests which again doesn't matter since I was looking to see what foods do what to my glucose levels.

Regarding the communications? I don't know but Id guess the G7 is Bluetooth (both made by Dexcom) but the Stello has a different app so maybe they may both work at the same time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: parameter
parameter said:
On the Stelo site it mentions "Adults (18+ years) not on insulin who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes and are not at risk for hypoglycemia, and those interested in tracking their glucose."
Which is where I think it excludes me unfortunately. But thanks for the info. Good to read about it and it should help a lot of people being OTC and also covered under certain health programs.
Click to expand...

Don't be put off by this. It's just market targeting. All these use the same means to measure blood glucose. What they have as a difference are 1. Pricing. 2. Software in the app. e.g. the Libre 2 and the Lingo sensors look the same and work the same and come in the same size box - yellow vs white. The apps are different. viz Lifestyle/Health oriented vs Medical Data oriented. Bet you that Stelo vs Dexcom One+ are the same.
 
drsox said:
Don't be put off by this. It's just market targeting. All these use the same means to measure blood glucose. What they have as a difference are 1. Pricing. 2. Software in the app. e.g. the Libre 2 and the Lingo sensors look the same and work the same and come in the same size box - yellow vs white. The apps are different. viz Lifestyle/Health oriented vs Medical Data oriented. Bet you that Stelo vs Dexcom One+ are the same.
Click to expand...
I should've cut out the other part of the quote, but for me a big issue is significant nighttime lows. So it was the "are not at risk for hypoglycemia" part from the Stelo site that mentioned that makes it sound like it may not offer some features int he G7 app.

But like you said, it is probably just for marketing and possible regulatory requirements.

The main features I'd just really need in the Stelo app, would be support for those audible, Critical Reminders that are notifications with always-loud-audible alarms. They've definitely saved me a few times in the night, and they're pretty accurate most of the time. The G7 does do a pretty good job of detecting a coming trend, like it going up/down ahead of time. Time enough to take action if needed.
I definitely always check before treating anything with a finger stick, which isn't a big deal. But most of the time it's actually within 10 points or so of the blood from finger.

I'm still super interested in the Stelo though and will look more into it. Their site probably explains most of what I'm asking, thanks everyone for the info. I'm going to check out their site this week when I have some extra time, since I just refilled my G7 for a month.

One other thing to mention, if you are diabetic and your doctor cares enough to look at some data, is that the G7 has that Clarity sync between your doctors (you give permission of course and invite them, only if you want to). But it has been handy to have my endocrinologist be able to see trends and lots of things in the version of the Clarity app that the doctor has, which I think is just basically a web app version of the same Clarity app that I have access to. I think it just has more data sorting, highlighting and things like that. Not exactly sure, but it has proved helpful.

I'd guess that isn't included in the Stelo? It'd be neat if it was. But probably not necessary for most people unless they're newly diagnosed diabetics, during medication changes, or have some other special need that should be monitored.
 
ellpee said:
As usual no sources cited anonymous or otherwise, not even a general description of where this information is coming from. But everyone keep believing what Bloomberg tells you.
Click to expand...
That’s why it’s called Macrumors and not Macscience
 
drsox said:
Don't be put off by this. It's just market targeting. All these use the same means to measure blood glucose. What they have as a difference are 1. Pricing. 2. Software in the app. e.g. the Libre 2 and the Lingo sensors look the same and work the same and come in the same size box - yellow vs white. The apps are different. viz Lifestyle/Health oriented vs Medical Data oriented. Bet you that Stelo vs Dexcom One+ are the same.T
Click to expand...
The Stello is the first CGM approved by the FDA to be sold without a prescription (in the USA), making it easily available for those of us who have type 1 diabetes but are not using insulin to manage it.

Is it good enough to be making insulin injection decisions like the Dexcom G6 and G7? Maybe, but they can't say it can be used for insulin injections nor is it sold for that purpose. It doesn't even offer a way to trigger insulin pumps like the G6 and G7 do. I'm currently using Stello now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: parameter
rbbloom99 said:
The Stello is the first CGM approved by the FDA to be sold without a prescription (in the USA), making it easily available for those of us who have "type 1 diabetes but are not using insulin to manage it."
Click to expand...
How does that work ?
 
rbbloom99 said:
I'm in the same boat, having to pay out of pocket for CGMs. I was using the Libra Freestyle 14-Day CGM but just switched over to the Stelo at $99 per month (2 x 14-day sensors). I had one Libra be defective and they sent me a replacement FOC. So far, I'm getting a full 14 days on my Stelos monitors. Also, Stelo is Bluetooth, so I don't have to hold my iphone to the sensor to collect the data all of the time :)
Click to expand...
I have a subscription set up and pay $89 monthly. So far my I’ve used 3 sensors and all 3 have made it to 15 days each. I love it, and am making some dietary changes. I’m still learning as I go, but over time, I’ll get better at managing my spikes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: parameter
parameter said:
Yes! I think I must be. I didn't realize it was out, but haven't really been checking. Thanks for bringing it up. It looks similar to the Dexcom G7, but I'm not sure if it has things like the ability to share in realtime, the readings with your doctor (On the G7, it uses an app called Clarity to sync with external connections like your doctor and look at insights more)?

Also, one thing I think that would rule it out for just me specifically because I really deal with low, and high blood sugars, even when eating and doing everything I can correctly. But the lows are the dangerous parts. I get frequent lows, very very low especially in the night. It doesn't matter what I eat/drink, it just happens.

But it gets dangerously low, it has gone down into the high 40s, but the G7 will give audible alerts and on the Apple watch (haptics and beeps) when a low downtrend is detected ahead of time so I can wake up and deal with it to bring it back up. It isn't every night, but it is frequent enough to be scary and my doctor has put me on these for that reason.

However, my insurance will only cover them if I was on insulin, which I don't require at this time. So I have to pay out of pocket.

It looks like with the Stelo, you get 30 days or so for around $100. For the G7, it's just a bit more it looks like, but instead each sensor only lasts 10 days so 3 are required for a month. I'd have to look at my last pharmacy bill to remember how much each unit costs, but I think if there was a 3rd in the Stelo, it would bring it to about the same cost.

So clearly Dexcom has found a way to maximize battery much longer on those devices. So I'm just wondering what it's either missing vs G7 or if they are just waiting for the G8 and are milking as much money out of the G7 for now.

And, another failed G7 sensor this morning!. It was on day 8/10. Not acceptable at all, because this as I was saying has now become the norm, across multiple batches. Something is wrong with the newer G7 sensors they're putting out.

On the Stelo site it mentions "Adults (18+ years) not on insulin who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes and are not at risk for hypoglycemia, and those interested in tracking their glucose."
Which is where I think it excludes me unfortunately. But thanks for the info. Good to read about it and it should help a lot of people being OTC and also covered under certain health programs.
Click to expand...
I’m pre-diabetic, and was waiting for Stelo to be released since it was OTC and did not need a prescription. So far I’ve used 3 sensors, with all of them lasting 15 days. I’m able to use my FSA dollars to cover the cost, and I have a monthly subscription set up saving me $10 and bringing the cost down to $89 for 2x 15 day sensors. I am also able to use Clarity with Stelo and share my data with my doctor. The only thing I do not like is I get notifications about a spike or a low 20-30 minutes after it occurs which will not be beneficial for you. Hopefully that will change with more data over time maybe.
 
  • Love
Reactions: parameter
I started using Clarity when I started using Stelo. Here is my data from the last 30 days. I also started back on my diet the day I started on Stelo.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0263.jpeg
    IMG_0263.jpeg
    255.1 KB · Views: 44
  • Like
Reactions: parameter and rbbloom99
parameter said:
I should've cut out the other part of the quote, but for me a big issue is significant nighttime lows. So it was the "are not at risk for hypoglycemia" part from the Stelo site that mentioned that makes it sound like it may not offer some features int he G7 app.

But like you said, it is probably just for marketing and possible regulatory requirements.

The main features I'd just really need in the Stelo app, would be support for those audible, Critical Reminders that are notifications with always-loud-audible alarms. They've definitely saved me a few times in the night, and they're pretty accurate most of the time. The G7 does do a pretty good job of detecting a coming trend, like it going up/down ahead of time. Time enough to take action if needed.
I definitely always check before treating anything with a finger stick, which isn't a big deal. But most of the time it's actually within 10 points or so of the blood from finger.

I'm still super interested in the Stelo though and will look more into it. Their site probably explains most of what I'm asking, thanks everyone for the info. I'm going to check out their site this week when I have some extra time, since I just refilled my G7 for a month.

One other thing to mention, if you are diabetic and your doctor cares enough to look at some data, is that the G7 has that Clarity sync between your doctors (you give permission of course and invite them, only if you want to). But it has been handy to have my endocrinologist be able to see trends and lots of things in the version of the Clarity app that the doctor has, which I think is just basically a web app version of the same Clarity app that I have access to. I think it just has more data sorting, highlighting and things like that. Not exactly sure, but it h as proved helpful.

I'd guess that isn't included in the Stelo? It'd be neat if it was. But probably not necessary for most people unless they're newly diagnosed diabetics, during medication changes, or have some other special need that should be monitored.
Click to expand...

The alarms and data handling features you mention are just the sort of differences that could be omitted in the Stelo app. For you they sound as if they are critical.
 
  • Like
Reactions: parameter
drsox said:
Thought so. I've heard of examples where type 2 have needed insulin but never examples of type 1 without insulin.
Click to expand...
You're exactly right. Tons of us type 2's control it with diet, metformin, or even the 'ignore it' method instead of insulin but I don't know any type 1s who can live without it.
 
StaceyMJ86 said:
I am also able to use Clarity with Stelo and share my data with my doctor. The only thing I do not like is I get notifications about a spike or a low 20-30 minutes after it occurs which will not be beneficial for you. Hopefully that will change with more data over time maybe.
Click to expand...
Thanks for this info, very helpful! Interesting that the Stelo also has the Clarity and doctor sharing (very good, super useful!). That makes me rethink it for sure and will definitely be giving it a test after I go through the other G7s I have.

The alerts, like you said, would be the only thing missing I guess. Which unfortunately I really use a lot and has become a super helpful feature for my needs, a delay that long would be pretty risky for me during sleep unless it's calculating ahead of time and would catch it 20-30 min earlier than it is, if that makes sense.
I'm going to have to try one!

But for the vast majority of people, it sounds like the Stelo would cover most.
 
StaceyMJ86 said:
I started using Clarity when I started using Stelo. Here is my data from the last 30 days. I also started back on my diet the day I started on Stelo.
Click to expand...
StaceyMJ86 > This is Great news. The Stelo app is very lacking in tracking history.
I just downloaded the Clarity app and logged in but I can't find any info on how to connect the Stelo sensor. Can you help?
 
  • Like
Reactions: parameter
rbbloom99 said:
StaceyMJ86 > This is Great news. The Stelo app is very lacking in tracking history.
I just downloaded the Clarity app and logged in but I can't find any info on how to connect the Stelo sensor. Can you help?
Click to expand...
I'm sure you'll get a good answer for the Stelo, but for Clarity with the G7, I think it just requires you to make the Clarity account and it connects through the same username (I think, but I set it up over a year ago).

It's definitely worth it, especially if the app lacks native detailed logging.

Also if you haven't already, it looks like the Stelo will also save data to Apple Health which I find very useful for the G7 and being able to chart things out and get an overall picture of things in some other apps that look at that data.
 
parameter said:
I'm sure you'll get a good answer for the Stelo, but for Clarity with the G7, I think it just requires you to make the Clarity account and it connects through the same username (I think, but I set it up over a year ago).

It's definitely worth it, especially if the app lacks native detailed logging.

Also if you haven't already, it looks like the Stelo will also save data to Apple Health which I find very useful for the G7 and being able to chart things out and get an overall picture of things in some other apps that look at that data.
Click to expand...
I used my Stelo login which is the same login login for my dexcom app. Also Stelo syncs to Apple Health.
 
  • Like
Reactions: parameter and rbbloom99
StaceyMJ86 said:
I used my Stelo login which is the same login login for my dexcom app. Also Stelo syncs to Apple Health.
Click to expand...
OMG, I used my Stelo login, and wala, my past senor histories are there.
••• Setting off fireworks, Doing the happy dance :)

StaceyMJ86 = HERO
 
  • Love
Reactions: Momof2.1107
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back