Ketone meters

[MissMuffett]

I’m considering getting a ketone meter, the test strips also seem really expensive. Can anyone recommend a particular make and are they worth having? TIA

 

[Lakeslover]

I have a Caresens Dual meter which does both blood testing and ketones. You are right the ketone strips are expensive, around £14 for 10. It’s worth it to me because I am on a drug which can cause dug DKA but I’m not sure it would be worth it otherwise.

 

[MissMuffett]

I have a Caresens Dual meter which does both blood testing and ketones. You are right the ketone strips are expensive, around £14 for 10. It’s worth it to me because I am on a drug which can cause dug DKA but I’m not sure it would be worth it otherwise.

Thank you. Ive managed without one so far but thought it would make interesting reading

 

[ianf0ster]

My opinion is that ketones can be inferred (though not the quantity) form BG readings, weight loss and lack of hunger.
I tried the Ketone urine strips, but didn't get readings, probably because I was already 'fat adapted by then' - I was no longer hungry in mornings so had started skipping/postponing breakfast.

 

[MissMuffett]

My opinion is that ketones can be inferred (though not the quantity) form BG readings, weight loss and lack of hunger.
I tried the Ketone urine strips, but didn't get readings, probably because I was already 'fat adapted by then' - I was no longer hungry in mornings so had started skipping/postponing breakfast.

I never eat breakfast just have a cup of coffee with double cream in it I know the ketone urine strips don’t work after a few weeks of very low carb

 

[plantae]

My Abbot reader that I got with Libre 2 can test both glucose and ketones, depending on the strip you use. The ketone strips were not cheap (Australia)

 

[EllieM]

What meds are you on @MissMuffett ?

As a T1 who is at risk of DKA (but has never ever had one) I managed for my first 45 years without, but do have a caresens dual now (and my GP is very mean with the expensive strips which also have a relatively short expiry date). I've also used the Abbott libre with strips, which seemed fine. You'd need to google prices for ketosens and freestyle optium ketone test strips to see which are cheaper for you. (IN NZ the Abbott product is cheaper, but as I get the meter and strips on prescription I go with the caresens).

Google is being difficult about showing me uk prices but looks like the Abbott ones are about 1GBP per strip, the caresens more like 1,50 or even 2. My advice would be to be careful about expiry dates if you decide to buy.

 

[plantae]

@EllieM makes a very good point regarding expiry dates. I bought my Abbott ketone strips in about December 2022 and I just checked and they expire July 2023. I was going to mention expiry dates in my original comment but thought I may have been confusing the ketone strips with my cgm transmitter… so many expiry dates

 

[becca59]

The expiry date can indeed be short. I tend to fulfil my Ketone prescription of 10 strips yearly. I spoke to the chemist about the expiry date and as the Abbott ones are individually wrapped she said add another 6 months, they will be more than fine. I know they are expensive, so have only ever used them when I have been poorly with high blood sugars. As a type 1 it is very important to do so when ill. I didn’t have them originally but after a visit to A+E (not DKA) but poorly, I was told by the Dr that all type 1s should have them and that the urine strips are just not accurate enough. Rang my hospital based DN and she sorted it there and then.

 

[Finnlee]

I use FreeStyle Libre Precision Beta Ketone test strips that work with FreeStyle Libre 2 & 3 readers. The strips seem to have a 1-1.5 year shelf life.

I had a few FreeStyle Libre Precision Beta Ketone test strips that were a few months expired. I tried them out of curiosity and they worked fine.

I live in Germany and the blood ketone (and urine ketone) strips are free with insurance so I haven't tried other strips or shopped around.

I can say that the FLS ketone strips need a lot of blood to work. I'm not sure if this is the same for all ketone strips. I usually have my lancing device set to 1.5, but I crank it up to 2.5 when I'm testing for ketones.

 

[Impy]

I'm also looking at getting a ketone meter. The one I'm looking at


Looks like the test strips are about £1 a pop which seems to be fairly standard. Anyone use this or heard anything regarding it's reliability/accuracy?

 

[Robbity]

I found that the wee strips only ever showed me waste ketones.
I also used my Libre reader when I wore sensors for a while as it would also act as a meter and take both glucose and ketone test strips.

@MissMuffett: Another alternative is to investigate the breathalyser type ketone testers as although they can be expensive they're essentially a one-off purchase as they (obviously!) don't require test strips.. I originally used a basic Ketonix, but I think there are several other brands available now, However I don't know how accurate/reliable they may be for anyone actually needing to test ketones levels for DKA though.