FDA warns against smartwatches, rings that claim to measure blood sugar without needles

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CBS News/AP

February 22, 2024 / 9:39 AM EST


Smartwatches and rings that claim to measure blood sugar levels for medical purposes without piercing the skin could be dangerous and should be avoided, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Wednesday. The caution applies to any watch or ring, regardless of brand, that claims to measure blood glucose levels in a noninvasive way, the agency said. The FDA said it has not authorized any such device.

The agency's notice doesn't apply to smartwatch apps linked to sensors, such as continuous glucose monitoring systems that measure blood sugar directly. Roughly 37 million Americans have diabetes. People with the disease aren't able to effectively regulate their blood sugar because their bodies either don't make enough of the hormone insulin or they have become resistant to insulin.

To manage the condition, they must regularly check their blood sugar levels with a finger prick blood test or with a sensor that places needles just under the skin to monitor glucose levels continuously.

Using the unapproved smartwatch and smart ring devices could result in inaccurate blood sugar measurements, with "potentially devastating" consequences, said Dr. Robert Gabbay, of the American Diabetes Association. That could cause patients to take the wrong doses of medication, leading to dangerous levels of blood sugar and possibly mental confusion, coma or even death.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fda-warns-against-smartwatches-rings-claim-measure-blood-sugar-without-needles/

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Link to FDA Notice - Do Not Use Smartwatches or Smart Rings to Measure Blood Glucose Levels: FDA Safety Communication

[Wonder Why]

1. Sure wished there was one that really worked correctly instead of the junk being pedaled.

[C0RI0LANUS]

2. Smartwatches

I did not see if the FDA also reported that Smartwatch bands help to harbor dangerous bacteria. Below is just one link discussing this.

https://www.euronews.com/health/2023/09/15/your-smartwatch-wristband-could-be-harbouring-potentially-harmful-bacteria-like-ecoli-stud

[BumRushDaShow]

3. Watch bands aren't just a smartwatch thing

From your link (one of the paragraph headers) -

Rubber and plastic bands are the most contaminated

This would apply to any "sports" band for regular watches too. Hell, I remember as a kid when the "Go Go" watch was a "thing" with a wide vinyl or patent leather watch band (and the bands were changeable)!

[C0RI0LANUS]

4. Sports Watchbands

True what you wrote. I remember the "Go-Go"-- I think I had one years ago. I surmise the FDA is only concerned about the blood glucose monitoring capability of the Smartwatch; the bacteria problem of the bands is out of their writ. Thanks for clarifying, I should have written my comment better.

[BumRushDaShow]

5. Those types of medical "monitoring" devices

whether in a hospital on as a wearable, are considered "medical devices" by FDA... just as bandages and tongue depressors.