Ketosis

[Butterflykeri]

So started following dr Bernstein after new year and have been keeping an eye on ketone levels. Done this evening and it's gone to 80, the second darkest purple.....is this a problem? Blood sugars are staying stable in 4s and 5s

 

[Diamattic]

How many grams of carbs are you eating total, each day ?

 

[Butterflykeri]

Approx 30g, just want to make sure it's not going to make me ill!

 

[Totto]

I am no expert but it is common to have high ketones in urine in the beginning, at least for people who doesn't suffer from type 1 diabetes so it seems likely also type ones will have high urine ketones.

As long as your bg is normal I can't see any reasons for alarm. In a couple of weeks time your body will be better at using the ketones and your level will go down.

 

[Butterflykeri]

Okey dokey will keep an eye on it....think I might be suffering slightly from the carb flu anyway, but headachey and legs feel heavy and tired! Hope it improves soon!

 

[robert72]

I take it that's 8.0 mmol/l or +++ on the ketostix?

It's a bit high for nutritional ketosis but it would be much more accurate to do a ketone blood test if you can.

 

[Butterflykeri]

Yep that's the one....I don't have a blood ketone meter

 

[tim2000s]

As someone who has been in and out of Ketosis for a while, it's usually fine. I hit the darker colours once. When you first start on the very low carb diet, you generate excess ketones that show up in your urine. After you are keto-adpated, i.e. you are burning fats as fuel, then they will disappear. This usually takes about a week, and as long as you are monitoring your blood sugars and they are in a safe range, I think you should be okay.

The ketones do make your muscles feel a little odd at first, but it won't last!

 

[Butterflykeri]

Ok will check again in few days

 

[robert72]

Handy chart to see where optimal levels are when you're low-carbing and have normal blood glucose levels.

 

[Butterflykeri]

Hmmm wonder if I should eat more....although not hungry at all since stared lchf

 

[robert72]

Hmmm wonder if I should eat more....although not hungry at all since stared lchf

Urine doesn't always reflect blood ketones, but is a good first line diagnostic as blood ketone strips are expensive.

I saw a 4.0 on ketostix the other day and found it was only 2.4 when I tested blood ketones.
(checked BG at the same time just to be sure)

 

[Butterflykeri]

I think I will just carry on, this is day 5 so will give it few more days and hope they come down a bit

 

[robert72]

I think I will just carry on, this is day 5 so will give it few more days and hope they come down a bit

Drink plenty of water

 

[Butterflykeri]

Okey dokey will fill up a bottle and keep drinking!

 

[tim2000s]

I was recommended to drink at least 2 litres of water a day while in Ketosis...

 

[Butterflykeri]

Good to know it's such a balancing act!

 

[eddie1968]

I am type 2 on insulin and showed ketones in urine that was checked by my GP. I have been very thirsty and so tired. Spoke to my DSN today and they are thinking I might be a slow developing Type 1. Now been issued with a Glucomen LX Plus meter and B-Ketone blood testing strips.

 

[robert72]

I am type 2 on insulin and showed ketones in urine that was checked by my GP. I have been very thirsty and so tired. Spoke to my DSN today and they are thinking I might be a slow developing Type 1. Now been issued with a Glucomen LX Plus meter and B-Ketone blood testing strips.

It would be a worry if you were showing ketones and your BGs were high (over 13 mmol/l)

 

[LucySW]

Keri,

1) Of course I'm no expert.

2) I have tho been in deep ketosis for four months or so Doc Bernsteining. As ketosis is quite different from ketoacidosis and my BS was always low, I never measured my ketones at all (except latterly I got a Ketonix breath analyser which I now realise, embarrassingly, I don't really know what to do with. I know how to use it, but not sure what for .. embarrassing). This is partly because I was never given any ketone strips of any kind. No sign of their being used here (in Denmark).

You do produce most ketones at the beginning, as the metabolism adapts. I know nothing about what the colour levels or measurements mean, but keto-maniacs like it when their levels go up. It means they have maximum energy available for sports training. If your BS is consistently in the 5/6 range, I would think it virtually certain that this is totally benign.

I was also told by two DNs here not even to think about DKA with a BS of less than 13. And the root cause of DKA is the absence of insulin. And you are taking plenty, with those figures.

So, of course I could be wrong, but frankly it sounds totally benign. I would go for it if I were you. You will be a bionic woman in ketosis!

Lucy