Dexcom Stelo Glucose Biosensor – 2 Pack (30 Days of Continuous Glucose Data)
Dexcom Stelo Glucose Biosensor – 2 Pack (30 Days of Continuous Glucose Data)
See how your food, sleep, and activity affect your glucose, 24 hours a day. No prescription needed.
Stelo is an FDA-cleared, over-the-counter glucose biosensor from Dexcom. Each sensor is worn on the back of the upper arm for up to 15 days and sends glucose readings to an app on your phone. No fingersticks. This 2-pack gives you about 30 days of continuous data, enough to see your real patterns rather than guess at them.
Why glucose matters for your nerves
Your muscles need insulin to let sugar in. Your nerves don't, and they can't keep it out.
Peripheral nerves and the blood vessels that feed them take up glucose without needing insulin, mainly through the GLUT1 and GLUT3 transporters. Muscle depends on insulin to pull glucose in. Nerves don't, and they can't turn uptake down when blood sugar runs high. So glucose inside the nerve tracks glucose in the blood, which means your nerves register every hour spent above range.1,2
Research has associated that excess glucose with oxidative stress inside nerve cells and with changes in the tiny blood vessels that supply them, the same kind of microvascular process studied in the eyes and kidneys.2,3 The longest nerves, the ones that run to the feet, have the longest supply lines. That is one proposed reason the feet are often where people first notice changes.
Why a single lab number isn't enough
Most people see their glucose once or twice a year, as a fasting number or an A1c. Neither tells you how many hours a day you actually spend elevated. That number, time spent above range, is what the nerve research keeps pointing back to. It's also exactly what a continuous monitor can show you.
What Stelo shows you
- How much of your day you spend above 140 mg/dL, not just your highest spike
- Your glucose response to specific meals and snacks
- How exercise, sleep, and stress shift your numbers
- Patterns over two full weeks per sensor
How it works
- Download the free Stelo app (iPhone or Android).
- Apply the sensor to the back of your upper arm. It takes a few seconds.
- After a 30-minute warm-up, glucose readings start flowing to your phone.
- Wear it for up to 15 days, then replace it with sensor #2.
At a glance
- Up to 15 days of wear per sensor
- No fingerstick calibration required
- Waterproof: may be submerged up to 8 feet for up to 24 hours
- Glucose reading range: 70–250 mg/dL
- Not covered by insurance; FSA/HSA eligible
Who Stelo is for
Adults 18 and older who want to understand their glucose, including people without diabetes, people with prediabetes, and people with type 2 diabetes who are not using insulin.
Who should NOT use Stelo
Do not use Stelo if you are on insulin, on dialysis, or have problematic hypoglycemia. Stelo is not approved for use during pregnancy. If you use insulin, talk to your physician about a prescription CGM instead.
What's included
2 Stelo glucose biosensors (about 30 days total). Requires a compatible smartphone with the Stelo app.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a prescription?
No. Stelo is cleared by the FDA for over-the-counter use.
Does it hurt?
Most people feel little to nothing. The applicator places a small, flexible filament just under the skin.
Can I change my medication based on the readings?
No. Consult your healthcare provider before making any medication adjustments based on your sensor readings.
Can I wear it in the shower, pool, or gym?
Yes. It's waterproof and designed to stay on through normal daily activity and exercise.
What happens after 30 days?
Each Stelo sensor is self-contained, so there's no separate refill kit. To keep tracking, just reorder this same 2-pack before your second sensor ends.
I'm working on lowering my glucose. How fast should it come down?
Bringing glucose down is the goal. For nerves, bringing it down at a sensible pace matters too. Very rapid drops have been linked to temporary nerve symptoms in some people. Work with your physician on the pace, especially if you take glucose-lowering medication.
Who handles device or app issues?
For sensor or app troubleshooting, contact Dexcom Stelo support. For order and shipping questions, contact us.
Want help interpreting your data?
Book a free 10-minute nerve health discovery call with Dr. Fitz to talk through what your glucose patterns may mean for your nerve and metabolic health goals.
References
1. Tomlinson DR, Gardiner NJ. Glucose neurotoxicity. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2008;9(1):36-45.
2. Brownlee M. Biochemistry and molecular cell biology of diabetic complications. Nature. 2001;414:813-820.
3. Brownlee M. The pathobiology of diabetic complications: a unifying mechanism. Diabetes. 2005;54(6):1615-1625.
The Stelo Glucose Biosensor System is manufactured by Dexcom, Inc. Dr. Fitz Nutrition is an independent retailer and is not affiliated with Dexcom. Stelo is intended for adults 18+ not on insulin. Do not take medical action based on sensor readings without consulting a qualified healthcare professional. This content is educational and is not medical advice.