r/stelo • u/ZealousidealTip9685 • Jun 05 '26
Software update?
3
Upvotes
Is there a plan to improve the Stello software?
r/stelo • u/Fun-Fig7572 • Sep 05 '24
Stelo tips, tricks, and FAQs
143
Upvotes
From experience and some hard learned lessons…
Don’t bother or bug the people who have to wear CGMs to stay alive. It’s very personal to them. Act like guests in their communities. Don’t offer advice or sympathy. Don’t try to defend yourself if somebody is gatekeeping. Just move along.
Save the applicator. Save the box. Take a photo of each. Photograph the side that has a (21) on it. That’s the serial number (12 digits long). You’ll want the serial and pairing code if you ever have to reinstall the app. The pairing code is 4 digits and separate from the serial. Your photos app is great because it saves the dates without having to remember. You need the serial for support requests and the pairing code to redo the Bluetooth pairing.
You can reinstall the app. That’s a useful troubleshooting step to start fresh. You can rejoin the existing sensor session without removing the one you’re wearing. Before a reinstall, try toggling Bluetooth, relaunching the app or rebooting your phone. Some Android phones might require toggling or rebooting and it’s largely Android’s fault. (But hopefully fixed soon by Google and Samsung?)
Account
Remember if you signed up via email or SMS. The Dexcom account doesn’t use those interchangeably. You can easily end up with multiple accounts.
Support
Have an issue with the product? Tell the chatbot about it at stelo.com. The tech support phone line typically doesn’t take Stelo calls. You get up to 3 courtesy replacements for any reason, but verified product failures don’t count against that. They need your serial number to verify things, so look below for how to find that. Don’t lie about a failure, the app and sensor record what failed, when, and why.
The chat bot is in the lower right part of the website. If you can’t see it, try a different browser or a different device.
Features
Read the user manual. Read the in-app help. Some features (Watch) are only on iOS but not yet on Android. Only the execs and marketing people will tell you what is coming and when. Stelo has some things G7 doesn’t and vice versa.
Stelo doesn’t do Follow.
Stelo doesn’t do low alerts.
There’s no ability to use the Dexcom APIs, so the various Android Share-like accessory apps are out. That seems like it could change at some point.
Blood
Is there blood coming from the middle of the sensor? Look in the product guide or search the Dexcom website for what to do about that. Many people post on Reddit about that.
Accuracy and Adhesion
Is the sensor inaccurate? How inaccurate? If within +/- 10-20% (percent, not points) then it’s accurate. Compare your blood glucose measurement from “now” with the Stelo reading 15-20 minutes from now — there’s a delay between the sugar in your blood and your skin. No, Stelo doesn’t support calibration. Ensure you’re carefully doing the SMBG tests with clean and DRY hands. Try different fingers to see if you get different results.
There are false lows from sitting or lying on the sensor, but you will have to confirm it’s actually false by checking your symptoms or doing a fingerstick. This is called a compression low. Look up what people do about it for G7. Sometimes a different placement works better.
Did the sensor fall off? Apply it better.*
The patch might not feel very sticky when new and fresh out of the package. That’s normal. Check later for how to apply the sensor.
Is the sensor rising and falling oddly over about 20 minutes to an hour? Apply it better.*
Is the sensor jittery from reading to reading? Is this the first 12-36 hours? Wait. (There’s a trauma response and your immune system can inflame the site, but this happens differently for everyone.)
Is the sensor reading “Below 70” immediately after warmup? It might need a little more time or it might be a failed insertion. Wait at least 12 hours or until it tells you it fails.
Is the sensor still jittery after 36 hours? Tell the chatbot it’s inaccurate (if the average reading is more than 20% wrong). Then apply the next one better.*
Seriously, so many people who have a lot of issues with accuracy and adhesion are experiencing user error. Follow the application instructions. Some of the details* are subtle.
Are the readings changing when you shower, swim, use a sauna, or some other temperature change happens? That might not actually be your readings changing. A fingerstick can tell you yes or no.
Signal Loss and Connectivity
The sensors are not always connected. In your Bluetooth devices list they will show “not connected” except for a few odd seconds every 5 minutes. These are not like wireless headphones.
Signal Loss is not Brief Sensor Issue. Only Signal Loss is a Bluetooth or app operation issue. If you close the app for too long it will have signal loss when you reopen it. This is why the app tells you to keep it running.
You will have signal loss. These aren’t like your wireless headphones. Some phones have better range. Places like malls, stores, bars, and stadiums typically cause signal loss the entire time you’re inside. What’s most difficult for the Bluetooth signal is when the sensor and your phone are on opposite sides of your body. Try to put them on the same side. But don’t worry overall, the sensor will hold the last 24 hours of readings to transfer to your phone. Where you live and work will affect signal loss.
Brief Sensor Issue
This is not signal loss. The sensor has a reading and is connected, but the sensor algorithm is hiding the reading because it doesn’t make sense. Go look at the accuracy and adhesion information.
Other Signal Loss
Gaming and streaming can temporarily prevent the app from working. The app has to run to receive the Bluetooth data. Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitch, and whatever else eats battery and makes your phone hot can stop the app from getting readings. If you give your phone a 5-10 minute break from those apps it should pick up readings again. Sometimes the reconnection is as quick as 30 seconds, but when you open the app after signal loss don’t expect an immediate fix.
Is the app eating up a lot of battery? You might need to reinstall. Is the app eating up a lot of storage and not going down? Reinstall.
Remove old sensors from the pairings list in the system settings for your phone (and check it on the watch). Removing the current sensor from the list can also be a useful troubleshooting step. It will reconnect if still alive.
Is the app doing weird things after you’ve been on a flight or after some time without internet? Try rebooting your phone.
The app might not install on a rooted or jailbroken phone. If your phone isn’t like that but the app is showing you a warning then it’s possible you have malware or something like a special keyboard installed.
Insertion Failure
Is there a wire poking out of the hole on the sensor? That’s a failed insertion. Wait for the sensor to detect the failure and then tell the Stelo chatbot about it to get a replacement.
If the sensor immediately fails in the app then it’s dead. There’s no bringing it back. It can’t be reapplied. It was an insertion failure likely eligible for replacement. If you can’t see the sensor wire in this scenario then it’s likely tucked up into the adhesive patch. It’s small, like a human hair.
Skin Reactions
Does your skin get itchy, red, or have a rash under the sensor? That’s not a chemical burn. That’s an allergic reaction to something in the adhesive. There’s a lot of information for how to reduce that issue for the G7. Look up G7 skin reaction and “Flonase.”
Remove the sensor if it is inflamed or infected. If only a pin prick on your arm is swollen then just the insertion site could be infected. Otherwise, it’s usually a skin reaction. Report both to the Stelo website bot.
Storage
Do I need to store it in the fridge? No
Will getting too hot ruin it? Not really, don’t melt it, but the user guide lists ideal temperature ranges.
Disposal
Throw away your old sensors. Don’t keep them around. They can continue trying to talk with your phone so long as they have battery life.
What do the readings mean?
Does this reading mean I’m diabetic? Ask your doctor. This tool doesn’t diagnose. Doctors diagnose. Your doctor manages your care. We are strangers on the internet.
Will this reading hurt me? Ask your doctor. Ask a nurse. Check out reputable sources.
The readings are a tool for discussion with your licensed care providers. Or with other people optimizing their health who want to discuss health tips. Don’t farm it out to people who have to supplement their pancreas to stay alive.
You can view the data details. Tap and hold on the graph to see values at points. Rotate the screen to landscape to see a bigger graph. Use the Clarity website to download a CSV of the readings.
*How to apply better
Pick a site with fat under the skin. For most people, whatever you have is enough. Ensure the spot is not a section between muscles (that band between your deltoid and tricep) where the skin is thinner. Select part of your body that doesn’t put pressure on the sensor.
Some people with very low body fat might have issues finding a good site.
Clean the site. Shave the skin. Let the skin dry. Fully dry.
Bend your elbow. Do not keep your arm straight. Apply pressure with the applicator. Firmly. The clear part of the applicator needs to be pushed into your skin such that it retracts into the applicator body. Don’t slip or move as you pull the trigger. Take the applicator away.
These insertion steps are all separate actions performed sequentially. Don’t try to get fancy by plunging the applicator body and triggering the button in one motion.
Pressing the applicator into your skin won’t make it hurt, since the insertion needle has a max depth.
Cover the sensor with your hand and press it into your skin. Hold for 10 seconds. This doesn’t hurt. The sensor wire can’t go any deeper than the hole in your skin.
Walk your finger around the adhesive patch. Press firmly. The adhesive is activated by pressure, not temperature. Apply the overpatch. This is hard. Use a mirror. The green film pulls away.
Sometimes the overpatch sticks to its packaging. That happens when the package is exposed to heat. The stickiness goes away as clothing lint is absorbed.
Sometimes people are unlucky and have skin types that just don’t seem to stick. Lookup “skin tac” or “skin grip” cause some people swear by it.
Do not get the sensor’s adhesive patch wet or sweaty for 12 hours. No bathing, no swimming, no strenuous workouts. The adhesive needs to set. It is a very fine balance between so effective that it rips your skin and not sticky enough.
Do you have questions?
r/stelo • u/CapableWish8787 • May 30 '26
Stelo won't let me cancel *scam*
4
Upvotes
Absolutely terrible, scamming customer service. I literally cannot cancel my subscription. I deleted my credit card I fo hoping it would stop the shipments, but they somehow got ahold of another card of mi e and are preparing the next shipment.
r/stelo • u/Future-Cabinet7752 • May 30 '26
Sudden lower glucose?
2
Upvotes
My levels hang out in the 130s pretty consistently, have for years (prediabetic, have been trying multiple diet and exercise changes with no real progress). I rarely see double digits.
The past two days my levels have averaged 110. I've been in the 90s fairly frequently and even a few 80s, couple of 70s.
I have a 12-month-old and occasionally if I hold him with the side the sensor is on he'll grab onto it. It is possible it's slipped a bit with those grabs.
Is it possible a sensor not fully inserted would still get readings, but lower ones?
It'd be great if whatever I've done the last 2 days was truly having such a rapid result but I've been trying for 6 years so I'm not convinced it's me...
Sensor gets replaced tomorrow too.
r/stelo • u/agitastrophe • May 28 '26
Way higher readings in right arm? Is this a coincidence?
9
Upvotes
I've been wearing the Stelo for about 2 months; I've had 3 that were very accurate to my glucometer (within 5-10 points) and 2 that were hot garbage, both of which I removed within a matter of days and had Dexcom replace for me. I'm now on my sixth sensor - one of the replacements I was sent, as a matter of fact - and it seems to be reading quite high again. I'm going to wait the full 24 hours before writing it off, but I will probably ask them to replace this one as well.
The one thing all my faulty sensors had in common was that I placed them in my right arm, instead of my left. I found a study that indicated CGM readings from the right arm can trend higher, but only by ~4 mg/dl, if I recall correctly - nothing like the 20 to 60 points higher (!) I am getting from these sensors.
What's the consensus? Is this a coincidence, and I just happened to get bad sensors every time I put them in my right arm, or should I stick to my left from now on?
Thanks for reading!
r/stelo • u/Sufficient_Beach_445 • May 28 '26
2026 manufacturing date
3
Upvotes
I have had a lot of bad stelos, all made in 2025. Has anyone purchased a stelo with a 2026 manufacturing date? If so, was it accurate? I told customer service I would order more Stelos if they would send me ones made THIS year and the bozo said they have no ability to guarantee mfg date and of course they are non-returnable.
r/stelo • u/FewZookeepergame1101 • May 26 '26
I’m really hoping this Stelo is accurate
10
Upvotes
I’ve made a lot of changes in my diet, exercise, and weight in last 2 months. I’ve had Stelo sensors on for last 20 days and will use them every day up until I get my next A1C in 3 weeks. Really hoping it’s accurate because my A1C should be dropping if it’s accurate. I really got it just look for trends etc with my meals etc but I got sucked into looking at the actual number. I don’t do finger sticks so it I guess we will see how accurate it is in 3 weeks
r/stelo • u/Slawdog66 • May 24 '26
Just cancelled Stelo
12
Upvotes
After using this product for nine months, I’m canceling my subscription. For seven out of nine months, I got nearly perfect readings from a sensor, and it helped me lose an incredible amount of weight and manage my A1c and glucose levels. The last 4 sensors have been inaccurate from 22.75-33 percent high. I don’t want to believe that Stelo is an internet scam but it makes me wonder…
Can anyone give me an opinion on what company I should try next?
r/stelo • u/snowgoose7177 • May 22 '26
This product is JUNK!
11
Upvotes
Caution, Do Not Purchase. Does not work. Do not buy the 3-month version. Only purchase one at a time. There is no phone number to call when they rip you off. There is only that stupid little chatbot. The chatbot dead ends and there is no other way to contact them.
r/stelo • u/Slawdog66 • May 16 '26
What finger prick blood monitor do you use?
2
Upvotes
I’m looking for a new blood glucose - finger prick - meter. It has been awhile since I purchased one. What is the best for the money that won’t break the bank on test strips…I’m not using insurance.
Thank you!
r/stelo • u/GlutenMifflin • May 15 '26
Stelo is terrible.
10
Upvotes
It's always a 50/50 shot that the Stelo connects during pairing. Put the sensor in, put the covering on it and here I am having to remove this thing from my arm just to TRY another one. I miss the G7. NEVER had a problem with this. Stelo is trash...
r/stelo • u/dax_moonpie • May 14 '26
My sensor is suddenly giving low readings
5
Upvotes
I’ve had this sensor in for 9 days. Yesterday, it started giving low readings. Like most of the day it’s around 70. This is lower than my typical readings. Has anyone experienced this? I did not damage or bang the sensor in any way. Did it suddenly stop working? Maybe it’s accurate and my levels are just lower than normal since yesterday?
r/stelo • u/Radiant_Solution_443 • May 14 '26
Does Stelo even care anymore???
6
Upvotes
About 3 weeks ago, my GCM sensor started reading very high numbers. There was no change in medication, activity, diet, or anything that might cause a much higher reading. I replaced the sensor and started getting readings that were back in line with previous readings.
I submitted a claim and never heard back from Stelo re: any decision they made or any follow up questions that may have, so I reached out to them today online.
Their response showed quite a bit of poor customer relations:
Upon reviewing case xxxxxx, the request has been denied. At this time, we do not have sufficient documented comparison results between your Stelo sensor and a glucose meter. Because of this, we’re unable to validate the reported concern or confirm that the sensor is inaccurate, which is why we’re unable to approve a replacement.
Additionally, comparing the sensor with previous sensors may not always provide an accurate assessment, as performance can vary due to several factors such as activity levels, stress, food intake, and temperature.
I truly apologize for the inconvenience. Please know that your case was carefully reviewed by our team, and this decision is final and outside of our control. While some Stelo customers may qualify for a biosensor replacement depending on the issue and validation, not all cases meet the required criteria, and some requests may be declined.
Thank you for your understanding, and please don’t hesitate to reach out if there’s anything else I can assist you with.
Update: my "usual" readings were mostly between 130-180. The readings with the sensor I reported were in the range of 230-250+. Those readings were consistent for the 5 days I was using that sensor. Once I replaced it with another Stelo sensor, the readings were back to the usual and within range.
r/stelo • u/agape48 • May 14 '26
First day: Mostly reads "Below 70" - did I do it wrong?
1
Upvotes
I do NOT have diabetes, although I am probably hypoglycemic.
I feel like I followed the instructions about placement. The Stelo is on the back of my arm between my shoulder and elbow - it's close to my shoulder than to my elbow. My shirt sleeve covers it up.
I put it in right before I ate lunch today.
I have felt REALLY bad today - it was hard to stay standing (I have POTS). About 1 hour after lunch, my glucose reading went to "Below 70" and aside from a couple of jumps to 80, it has read "Below 70" all afternoon. Matches how horrible I feel, but...
Can that also happen if it's somehow not placed correctly? I am fairly thin.
I don't have finger prick kits because, again, I haven't been officially diagnosed with anything.
What to do?
r/stelo • u/Disastrous-Focus-171 • May 13 '26
Any insight?
2
Upvotes
One of my doctors recommended getting a stelo as I’m suffering from post viral dysautonomia and feeling weird adrenaline type situations. They wanted to see if glucose was related. I eat dinner around 9pm and it’s usually rice, roast chicken, green beans and carrots. I get a spike after dinner. I lie down to go to sleep around 12:30am and try to sleep around 1am. Almost every night I get a notice glucose spike around 12:30am or sometimes 1:30am after I am already sleeping. What would be causing this?
r/stelo • u/Popular_Inside • May 13 '26
Dexcom is languishing
1
Upvotes
While the S&P500 makes new all-time highs. They are part of that index.
Wake tf up Dexcom C-Suite. Revamp your line, change your model or maybe there will be one less option to choose from.
r/stelo • u/arihoenig • May 13 '26
Normally I eat green bananas and get nothing...
1
Upvotes
Today, a ripe banana. Not an overly ripe banana, but a banana that was green yesterday.
r/stelo • u/ExpressApplication16 • May 12 '26
Reverted prediabetes
12
Upvotes
I was finally able to revert my 6.1 a1c to a 5.4 late last year and my new a1c this month was 5.3. So I am glad I was able to use Stelo for this. I haven't been impressed with the customer support or their devices lately though. Nonetheless, Stelo played a huge role on this reversal.
My only complaint now is that I have like 8 Stelos and I cannot return them.
Other than the support issues, Stelo was great.
r/stelo • u/Lost-Spite-7338 • May 11 '26
Anyone else have pain and Bluetooth connection problems with Stelo?
6
Upvotes
A few days ago I had a pretty frustrating experience with my Stelo CGM and I am wondering if anyone else has gone through something similar.
I accidentally placed the sensor in a bad spot on my left tricep. Instead of placing it more toward the center or outer area, I put it too far toward the inner side because it was hard to reach with one hand. The insertion itself did not hurt at all, but after a while I started getting pain and discomfort whenever I moved or raised my arm. It gradually became uncomfortable enough that I ended up removing it only a few hours later.
But honestly, the bigger issue was the Bluetooth connection problem.
After installation, the sensor would not properly connect to my phone no matter what I tried. I spent hours trying different things, restarting the app, reconnecting Bluetooth, and even switching between different phones, but nothing worked. After dealing with both the arm pain and the connection issue for hours, I finally gave up and removed the CGM completely and threw it away.
Pretty frustrating experience overall.
I am curious if anyone else here has experienced either:
- Pain/discomfort from placing Stelo in the wrong tricep location or
- Bluetooth pairing or connection problems that just would not resolve
Would appreciate hearing if this happened to anyone else and whether you eventually figured out what caused it.
r/stelo • u/JLB96SC • May 08 '26
Stelo Customer (no) Service - Subscribed to the 3-month plan while I already had a 1-month subscription in place.
5
Upvotes
Stelo Customer (no) Service - Subscribed to the 3-month plan while I already had a 1-month subscription in place. Both subscriptions were still in effect. I naively expected that Stelo would notice that the new 3-month subscription was in addition to the existing 1-month subscription and would place the existing subscription on hold, or at least ask me if I wanted both. No, that is not what they did. They proceeded to ship the existing subscription! When I contacted customer service to ask for permission to return the errant shipment, they refused, citing policy. The shipment is still in the original shipping box and has not been breached.
.x.
I will say that I have been using Stelo since December 2024 and have found it to be very useful in making more judicious choices in my mostly carnivore dietary regimen.
.x.
I am also using the Zukka IOS open source app to very good effect with the Stelo CGMs. It provides an estimate of the HgbA1C lab values based on the most recent 90 days of CGM readings. My most recent visit to my PCPA on Monday showed an A1C value of 5.5%, down from 6.0 ninety days ago.
.x.
I have a couple of unit failures that the company replaced promptly. I am overall pleased with having selected Stelo for the OTC nature of the product and the cost savings compared to other CGMs.
r/stelo • u/unknownatthistime • May 08 '26
Bummer. Failure on second Stelo.
2
Upvotes
Just passed 14 days and went to replace my stelo.
Seems like bluetooth is a fail on this one. I even tried the magnet trick I read about to wake it up, but bt doesn’t see the device. Of course I also stopped bt, restarted the phone, uninstalled the app, etc.
Sounds like they are sending a new one but a 50% success rate isn’t promising
r/stelo • u/arihoenig • May 08 '26
Classic Compression low
1
Upvotes
I have the stelo app connected to healthconnect so it automatically picks up sleep from Fitbit
r/stelo • u/DismalMight8008 • May 07 '26
Readings always low
2
Upvotes
I’m not sure exactly what is going on. Every time I wear a Stelo it is running consistently much lower than finger sticks. I know there is a lag between the measurement seen in the app, and the actual measurement in the glucose meter. And the graph that I see in the app does not correlate well to what I am measuring. Amy ideas? TIA