Low Carber Daily Forum

Join

Testing Ketone Levels

Vilzi
Vilzi Posts: 29 Member
edited November 24 in Social Groups
Hey everyone,
I'm relatively new to the LCHF way of life (week 4 now), and joined this group a few days ago.
I have been doing a lot of reading, both of posts within this group, and some helpful links many of you have given for some useful references.

I decided to put the Ketostix I picked up from my local pharmacy to use and see if they indicated the presence of ketones in my urine. Some additional info: I don't have any health conditions, e.g. diabetes.
I followed the directions carefully, and I ended up with a 'moderate' reading which indicates 4mmol/L.

A lot of the information out there seems to refer to serum ketones predominantly, so I can't really compare my results with that. And I'm not so curious as to get a machine to test for ketones in my blood.

If anyone has some light to shine on my result, or can point me to a resource I can consult for myself, that would be fantastic. :)
Thanks in advance!

Replies

  • KarlaYP
    KarlaYP Posts: 4,436 Member
    There are many opinions on the use of ketostix. Most agree that they aren't very reliable once you've been in ketosis for a bit. I used them in the beginning and it was great to see myself become a fat burning machine, but, haven't used them since. I now know if I have ketones in my urine by the smell. Noticing the difference when getting back into ketosis is enough assurance for me. Plus, I'm not sticking my finger unless I have to and right now I don't. A moderate reading means you are burning fat. You were probably at dark purple about a week ago. Just know that you're burning fat!
  • wabmester
    wabmester Posts: 2,748 Member
    They are useful. Not really to tell you that you're in ketosis, but it can be useful to know that you have ketones in the urine.

    How do you feel? Any fatigue or lightheadedness? If so, ketones in the urine are the reason, and salt is the cure.

    IMHO, there's no reason to target a certain level of ketones. If you've been in ketosis for 4 weeks, you're as adapted as you're going to get. Is it meeting your expectations?
  • DittoDan
    DittoDan Posts: 1,850 Member
    If you're staying strictly under 40g carbs per day with no cheating, not subtracting fiber and weighing your food and/or using labeled food ~ you're in ketosis. And if you stay consistent, you'll be adapted in 2-6 weeks.

    The lower G on carbs you go, the better and faster you'll be on Ketosis & adaptation. No machines, or strips needed.

    I hope this helps,
    Dan the Man from Michigan
    Keto / Water Fasting / E.A.S.Y. Exercise Program
    110 pounds down, 24 to go. 12 months 3 weeks on diet
    Blog #10 Keto: Abbreviations, Acronyms & Terminology Used on the LCD & Keto Discussion Groups Updated
    DittoDan's Keto Sub Groups Blog
    Blog #13 DittoDan's Milestone's, First's And Good Changes Since Starting the Ketogenic Diet Updated
  • nicintime
    nicintime Posts: 381 Member
    edited September 2015
    DittoDan wrote: »
    If you're staying strictly under 40g carbs per day with no cheating, not subtracting fiber and weighing your food and/or using labeled food ~ you're in ketosis. And if you stay consistent, you'll be adapted in 2-6 weeks.

    The lower G on carbs you go, the better and faster you'll be on Ketosis & adaptation. No machines, or strips needed.

    I hope this helps,
    Dan the Man from Michigan
    Keto / Water Fasting / E.A.S.Y. Exercise Program
    110 pounds down, 24 to go. 12 months 3 weeks on diet
    Blog #10 Keto: Abbreviations, Acronyms & Terminology Used on the LCD & Keto Discussion Groups Updated
    DittoDan's Keto Sub Groups Blog
    Blog #13 DittoDan's Milestone's, First's And Good Changes Since Starting the Ketogenic Diet Updated

    What Dan said, and if you go to 20g carbs there will be absolutely NO doubt! :smiley:

    I think ketone testing will become much more important when I loose the 100 plus pounds I must lose and then begin raising my carbs slowly to find the sweet spot for maintenance. Even after reaching my goal weight I don't want to lose the amazing benefits of ketosis, so testing to make sure I'm there will become more important than now (I don't test at all, don't need to).

    For me the symptoms of ketosis are so clear any test would be redundant. (Mental Clarity, ketone "smell" and "feel" on my body (pits and urine), increased energy, appetite wonderfully under control, etc.)

  • wabmester
    wabmester Posts: 2,748 Member
    nicintime wrote: »
    appetite wonderfully under control

    This! For weight loss, it's the only test that matters. :)

  • Vilzi
    Vilzi Posts: 29 Member
    Thanks for everyone's feedback. I feel good! First week was tough, I had a headache for 3 days that wouldn't go away unless I took some Advil. My energy levels are good, although I do find myself wanting to go to bed earlier than I used to - but I attributed that mostly to starting up with exercise again. I have noticed I seem to be thinking more clearly when at work. And I'm not hungry at all really, aside from my body saying "woman! time for lunch!" etc. I'm eating around 25-30g of carbs per day. I'm not sure how much potassium I'd be getting at the moment. I snack on macadamia nuts a fair bit, but they are just covered in sea salt.
  • wabmester
    wabmester Posts: 2,748 Member
    edited September 2015
    Mmmm, salted macs are one of my favorite snacks.

    You are guaranteed to be making a high level of ketones at 30g/d carbs. Ketostix are cool, but the novelty will wear off, and you'll just bathe in the warm glow of your inner ketones. :)

    If you're exercising, that might explain why you're still dumping ketones in your urine after 4 weeks. Exercise is VERY ketogenic -- definitely reach for something salty if you ever get a headache or other symptoms again.

    I have the same sleep thing as you, and I find it odd, but I accept it. I think it's an increased sensitivity to melatonin, which makes us more sensitive to light and dark cycles. I used to stay up late and sleep in late, but the sunset and sunrise are my new masters. :)
  • JessicaLCHF
    JessicaLCHF Posts: 1,265 Member
    I find them highly accurate. They match my diet for good and bad. Maybe it depends on the person, but they match up with what I eat, my BG levels and weight loss. I've used them daily for about a year.
  • JessicaLCHF
    JessicaLCHF Posts: 1,265 Member
    Side note: I highly value the daily "you're on the right track", but as always - results will vary.

    How I feel:
  • JessicaLCHF
    JessicaLCHF Posts: 1,265 Member
    Oops forgot to add image! This is how I feel! 14r59ahtjvyv.jpg
This discussion has been closed.

Categories