Blood Ketone Readings that Typically fall between 4.0-6.0 mMl. Trying to understand what it means
LovePBandJ
Posts: 288 Member
My blood ketone readings are regularly high, say in the 4.0-6.0 mMl range. I am not excessively cautious about carbs. I do avoid them, but I will have the tortilla on my taco and a glass or two of wine without concern. I estimate my daily carbs are in the 50 g range. Does this mean I can increase my daily carb intake? Should I monitor my blood ketones and keep close tabs of my carbohydrate intake to determine my personal carb tolerance? I am confused because everything I have read states hard carb numbers, such as 20 - 50 grams and people report ketone readings in the 1.0-2.0 range. My highest beta-hydroxybutyrate reading was 7.5 mM. Could it mean I am getting too much of something or not enough of something else? I get into ketosis easily and quickly and my body functions much better without the carbs. I think it is a good thing, but am trying to make sense of these ketone readings in order to properly fine tune my diet.
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The Bullet Proof guy, Dave Asprey, has some stuff in his book or a podcast about finding your carb threshold. Aside from that, I don't know specifically. Might be some more info here. http://www.flexibleketogenic.com/1
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You might also look at Jimmy Moore's website: LivinLaVidaLoCa as he lives on a ketogenic diet and provides a lot of information on that topic.2
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LovePBandJ wrote: »I think it is a good thing, but am trying to make sense of these ketone readings in order to properly fine tune my diet.
Are you exercising? That can get you into a high range like that.
If not, then your protein could be too low. Also, some shorter-chain fats can only be processed in the liver, so they'll typically be used for ketogenesis substrates. E.g., MCT, coconut oil, butter.
Personally, I wouldn't want to stay in a range that high for very long.2 -
I'd cross-check your measuring device, especially if you're not exercising or not heavily exercising. My first thought is instrumentation error.2
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When my blood ketone level gets up to round 3.0 per the Precision Xtra meter I do not feel as strong.
The other day my breath acetone level was at 0.091 on the $15 breath analyzer from Ebay that I use to spot check daily. I checked my blood level and got 3.4.
I had to eat several carbs but I got my levels down so I was only blowing at my normal .03-.07 range. Blood ketone levels of 1-2 is what I prefer.
Monday night I pigged out in a major way 2 plate fulls) on baked beans, cold slaw and potato salad. Six hours later I was still in ketosis but not the next morning and it took 24 hours to get back into ketosis. I check my ace levels several times daily just for the heck off it so after nearly 2 years I can often predict the read out.
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Not trying to stay at such a high range, just trying to understand why this is more of a normal for me. I have read the books and Dug around the Internet to understand as much as I can. I use the Precision Xtra meter and feel that it is measuring accurately enough. If I have a major indulgence it will report levels in non-ketosis range, as would be expected. I have practiced some IF and wonder if that has something to do with it. It seems like I need to play around with my carb levels, relative to calorie and fat levels to determine And ideal micro balance to keep my levels in a more comfortable range. @ KnitOrMiss, I found that website interesting. I have heard it mentioned in the past wherein one could consume more fat to balance out carbs, but have never seen a calculator for the process! Thanks for sharing.
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LovePBandJ wrote: »I have practiced some IF and wonder if that has something to do with it.
Definitely. Fasting is very ketogenic. "Nutritional ketosis" was basically designed to mimic those fasting effects while still giving you all the nutrition you need.
The longer you fast, the more ketones you'll make. It's somewhat self-regulating, so when levels get too high, lipolysis gets shut down to reduce the substrate (input) for ketogenesis, and ketone levels stop rising.2 -
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LovePBandJ wrote: »My blood ketone readings are regularly high, say in the 4.0-6.0 mMl range. I am not excessively cautious about carbs. I do avoid them, but I will have the tortilla on my taco and a glass or two of wine without concern. I estimate my daily carbs are in the 50 g range. Does this mean I can increase my daily carb intake? Should I monitor my blood ketones and keep close tabs of my carbohydrate intake to determine my personal carb tolerance? I am confused because everything I have read states hard carb numbers, such as 20 - 50 grams and people report ketone readings in the 1.0-2.0 range. My highest beta-hydroxybutyrate reading was 7.5 mM. Could it mean I am getting too much of something or not enough of something else? I get into ketosis easily and quickly and my body functions much better without the carbs. I think it is a good thing, but am trying to make sense of these ketone readings in order to properly fine tune my diet.
@LovePBandJ Are you still seeing these high levels?0
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