Why doesn’t my Stelo match my blood glucose meter?
Your Stelo glucose readings will not always be the same number as a blood glucose meter (BGM) reading. It’s important to note that the Stelo Glucose Biosensor measures glucose in the interstitial fluid just under your skin, while a BGM is measuring glucose in a drop of blood—it’s normal for these values to differ.
Additionally, the Stelo Glucose Biosensor—and all continuous glucose monitoring systems—have accuracy ranges in which they are considered accurate. It’s not helpful to compare Stelo to other devices as they each have a different margin of error.
Other reasons there could be a difference between your BGM and the Stelo Glucose Biosensor are:
- Hand cleanliness: Wash your hands with soap and water (not hand sanitizer) and dry them. Then check with your BGM. Many inaccurate BGM values are from hands not being washed thoroughly before testing.
- It’s the first day of your biosensor: With newly inserted biosensors, the differences between your BGM and the biosensor might be greater. Generally, Stelo readings get more accurate over the first 24 hours.
- Pressure on biosensor: If something is pressing on your biosensor, it can affect your biosensor readings. A common example of this is laying on the biosensor. When you relieve the pressure, the numbers should get closer to your BGM reading.
- Rapidly changing glucose: When your glucose is rapidly changing, it can be more difficult to compare your BGM value and biosensor reading because your blood glucose will change before the glucose in your interstitial fluid does. The numbers should be closer when your glucose stabilizes.
- Test strips: Make sure your test strips are stored as directed and not expired. Also, make sure to use enough blood on the test strip.
Note: Stelo glucose data has proven to be 93% accurate1* when compared to a gold standard laboratory blood glucose test, making it the most accurate biosensor available without a prescription.
For assistance with your order(s), reporting a product issue, or other support needs, please log into your Stelo account and submit your request through SteloBot.
1 Dexcom, Data on File, 2024. *Percent of iCGM values within 20% of comparator glucose.
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