Saw a movie where Ben Bikman recommended ketones tracking (urine dips) as a way of shadow tracking insulin ... as in high ketones = low insulin = all good ... he said it is rough and ready but the only way you can (kind of) measure insulin at home, so it is much better than nothing ... he does it himself, so ...
I was thinking to give it a try, to avoid stabbing the fingers for a while, however I also read here and elsewhere that (1) urine tests are notoriously unreliable (2) urine tests get unreliable anyway the longer you use them, as the body gits gud with ketosis ...
So, it's difficult to know if it is worthwhile to start ...
I would appreciate any thoughts ... thanks in advance
I know a lot of people say the urine strips are not a reliable gauge of your ketone levels/state.
For me, I have found the urine strips to be a good measurement tool.
I use it in conjunction with my blood ketone meter.
I use the meter once or twice a week due to cost factors, and use my Urine Ketone test strips multiple times a day.
I have been in Ketosis for months, I also need to add that, my BG readings are sometimes as low as the upper 2s without any discernible hypo symptoms. So for me the assertion that being able to detect ketones in urine, means one has not fat adapted does not ring true in my case.
I am most certainly not being powered by glycogen, since my BG is very low, I have hardly any appetite, and I have enough energy to walk miles daily as part or my daily exercise activity without any issues.
My point is that, I have found the urine strips to be a good indicator, of whether one is in Ketosis or not. It will not give you the numerical values, however as an indicator of whether you are in Ketosis or not, I have found it to be a good and reliable resource.
I have a brand I get on eBay for £1.99 for a pot of 50... its the URS - 1K
I also have even been able to discern what each colour on the chart, will correspond to when I test with my blood ketone meter.
So thus far, I have found the urine strips to be accurate and reliable in my own case.
The urine ketone test strips most certainly saves me money, because I can test to make sure I am still in ketosis multiple time a day.
Example, yesterday I went overboard on the cheese, half expecting to be adversely affected regarding my state of ketosis.
But multiple tests both yesterday and today, has reassured me that I have nothing to worry about, and that I am still deep in ketosis.
They most certainly do the job.