I use ketostix currently, which are OK, but as my consultant pointed out, ketones in the urine show a 2-6 hour lag on ketones in the bloodstream (which are what affects you). My consultant suggested I get the NHS to agree to paying for strips for a meter which tests ketones in the blood at the same time as testing for BGs. My local NHS has agreed to this, but the problem is that the test strips are so expensive I feel guilty using them (they cost the NHS £20 per 10 strips!! Outrageous).
It is worth noting that ketoacidosis is what is likely to kill Type 1 diabetics and that , once you are a Type 1 , this is apparentyl not controlled by insulin, the best bet, according to my consultant is to constantly measure ketones and take electrolytes as soon as high ketones become apparent (but then the expensive strips are pretty critical). The available research supports this approach.
Interestingly, although deaths 'from' Type 1 are now only 25% (o.25%) of those before insulin became available, the stats do not compare very favourably with the significant decrease in other diseases over the same time period (e.g TB is now 0.005% of deaths prior to improving sanitation).
8)