In the U.S., Abbott introduces its first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor.

• Lingo, an over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor from Abbott Laboratories, is now available in the U.S. on Thursday.
• Lingo can be bought without a prescription and is meant for adults who don't use insulin and want to enhance their overall health and wellness.
• One sensor can be purchased online for $49, two sensors for $89, or six sensors for $249.

Lingo, a continuous glucose monitor, is now available in the U.S. starting at $49, as announced Thursday.

Continuous glucose monitors are a type of biosensor that allow individuals to monitor their bodies' response to food, exercise, sleep, and stress. These small sensors, which are attached to the skin, measure real-time glucose levels. Glucose, a sugar molecule obtained from food, serves as the body's primary energy source.

Lingo is not intended for diabetes management, but rather for adults who do not take insulin and want to improve their overall health and wellness.

High glucose levels can lead to serious health issues such as metabolic disease, insulin resistance, and heart disease, according to Abbott. Lingo, the company's product, aims to educate users about their existing habits and help them manage their glucose levels in a healthier way.

Ben Fohner, director of Abbott's Lingo app, stated in an interview with CNBC that the goal is not only to observe and comprehend what is happening within one's body but also to enhance those processes by developing healthy habits that drive those changes.

Lingo, a new continuous glucose monitor from Abbott, aims to enter a new market by targeting Americans with prediabetes who do not qualify for prescriptions or insurance coverage for existing monitors.

Now, users can purchase sensors without a prescription. They can buy one sensor for $49, two sensors for $89, or six sensors for $249. Each sensor is worn on the upper arm for up to 14 days, according to Abbott.

Lingo, a division of Abbott, will provide three pricing options to avoid intimidating customers with a long-term commitment. Customers can choose to purchase a single sensor for a brief trial period.

Ropars stated in an interview with CNBC that the goal is to make it as accessible and affordable as possible.

Dexcom, a competitor of Abbott, is targeting the prediabetes market with its over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor, Stelo. The device is available in the U.S. for $89 a month and can be used by patients with Type 2 diabetes who do not take insulin.

In March, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Dexcom's Stelo, while in June, it cleared two over-the-counter continuous glucose monitoring systems from Abbott, including Lingo and Libre Rio, which is intended for Type 2 diabetes patients who do not take insulin.

Abbott recommends using Libre Rio over Lingo for Type 2 patients who are not taking insulin, although they could technically use Lingo. The company has not disclosed when Libre Rio will be available.

The Lingo app

The Lingo continuous glucose monitor wirelessly transmits glucose data to an app, which updates the reading every minute when the app is opened by users.

The graph shows the glucose readings, with a shaded area indicating the "healthy range" defined by Abbott's clinical team as 70 to 140 milligrams per deciliter.

Lingo users can learn about glucose spikes, which happen when bloodstream sugar levels quickly rise and fall, through Abbott's main objective. These spikes typically occur after meals.

Spikes in glucose readings can exceed the healthy range, but they can also occur within the healthy range. By controlling spikes and managing glucose levels, users can enhance their sleep and mood, maintain a healthy weight, and take a proactive approach to their future health, according to Abbott.

Abbott developed a metric known as the "Lingo Count" to help users understand the impact of their glucose spikes. This algorithm assigns a numerical value to each spike, representing its significance. Users aim to keep their daily Lingo Count below a specific target.

A shaded area beneath a spike on Lingo's home page will display a number representing the Lingo Count for that spike.

Fohner explained that the number is a reflection of the spike's height, duration, and impact on the body, which is unique to Lingo.

Users can monitor their Lingo Count data to track their progress and identify patterns in their spikes, as well as participate in challenges and utilize educational resources to minimize those spikes.

Lingo can provide insight into how and why a user's glucose levels fluctuate, but its true worth lies in the assistance it can offer in developing healthy routines.

"Our new product aims to help people improve their daily life and take control of their health before they develop a chronic disease or illness."