• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Ketones

B

benjo123456

Well-Known Member
Messages
92
Type of diabetes
Don't have diabetes
Treatment type
I do not have diabetes
Hi.
I am using a ketone stick that uses urine to measure my ketones. As I understand it, it measures excess ketones in my body.

My question is that if I get more keto adapted and get better at using ketones for fuel, will less be excreted, and will my ketones sticks actually show a lower reading if I am more keto adapted?

Thanks for you help
 
benjo123456 said:
Hi.
I am using a ketone stick that uses urine to measure my ketones. As I understand it, it measures excess ketones in my body.

My question is that if I get more keto adapted and get better at using ketones for fuel, will less be excreted, and will my ketones sticks actually show a lower reading if I am more keto adapted?

Thanks for you help
Click to expand...
Yes..is the short answer.that’s why they are considered pretty useless as a measure of ketosis. Blood monitoring is the most accurate with quite a few people using cheap breathalysers too although they measure different things.
 
bulkbiker said:
Yes..is the short answer.that’s why they are considered pretty useless as a measure of ketosis. Blood monitoring is the most accurate with quite a few people using cheap breathalysers too although they measure different things.
Click to expand...
So I could use the keto strips as a tool to measure when I'm keto adjusted? The readings are high now, but if they dissapear without me eating carbs I should be more keto adjusted.
 
benjo123456 said:
So I could use the keto strips as a tool to measure when I'm keto adjusted? The readings are high now, but if they dissapear without me eating carbs I should be more keto adjusted.
Click to expand...
That's what happens with most people yes.. as your body gets used to running on ketones then you have less waste ketones so the pee strips stop working.
 
You are trying to measure something that really doesn't give you the answers you are looking for.
I have been mostly in ketosis because my blood glucose levels are always in the normal range. Every time I test my bloods, I get a reading between 3.8 and 5.8.
That is a good example of how you can monitor how you are doing, your body automatically will resort to using ketones as a source of energy instead of carbs the longer you are in normal range.

Eventually, your body will tell you, as your awareness to hypers and hypos, or where your body likes it to be. Especially if you decide to test and experiment certain foods that you believe you can tolerate.

Don't obsess too much over ketones, you will get this, I assure you.
You are still in the early stages of treating and controlling the condition, you seem to be doing okay.

Can you give us some readings for example, fasting bloods, pre breakfast, two hours after, then your meals throughout the day. And what you are eating?

I can give you some tips, because sometimes, you are not aware of how certain foods are prepared. And this could effect your blood levels.

Best wishes
 
So am i right in thinking that a large showing of ketones in the urine tests means that you are beginning to produce them, but that your body is not yet used to using it as actual fuel?

The reason I ask is that I am having a hard time adapting to keto. However, for about 30 mins today I actually felt okay! I tested my ketones and noticed it was showing little signs of ketosis. It didn't last, unfortunately, but presumably my body will eventually learn to use them as fuel and not excrete them?
 
Last edited:
benjo123456 said:
So am i right in thinking that a large showing of ketones in the urine tests means that you are beginning to produce them, but that your body is not yet used to using it as actual fuel?

The reason I ask is that I am having a hard time adapting to keto. However, for about 30 mins today I actually felt okay! I tested my ketones and noticed it was showing little signs of ketosis. It didn't last, unfortunately, but presumably my body will eventually learn to use them as fuel and not excrete them?
Click to expand...
That's my reading of it yep.
 
Sorry, a few newbie questions,

1 how do you know when you are in ketosis
2 despite drinking lots of water and tea,, the water works have gone dark, about the shade of beer, is this normal, or are my kidneys getting upset.
3 is there anything that I need to prepare for?
 
Greg1957 said:
Sorry, a few newbie questions,

1 how do you know when you are in ketosis
2 despite drinking lots of water and tea,, the water works have gone dark, about the shade of beer, is this normal, or are my kidneys getting upset.
3 is there anything that I need to prepare for?
Click to expand...
Hi Greg. I'm a newbie too, but I'll have a go.
I can tell when I'm in Ketosis through my breath. You produce a metallic taste, and somehow feel a little different. I also use Keto sticks, which you urinate on and they tell you what ketones you are producing.

My entirely uneducated guess is that you may still be dehydrated, but others may correct me.

In what sense do you mean prepare for?
 
benjo123456 said:
Hi Greg. I'm a newbie too, but I'll have a go.
I can tell when I'm in Ketosis through my breath. You produce a metallic taste, and somehow feel a little different. I also use Keto sticks, which you urinate on and they tell you what ketones you are producing.

My entirely uneducated guess is that you may still be dehydrated, but others may correct me.

In what sense do you mean prepare for?
Click to expand...
Just, is there anything I should expect I.e. Tiredness or extra energy etc, I could do with more energy. I'm always tired.
 
I've only just started a keto diet in the past week, I'm on day 7 today. My body has really struggled to adapt, and have had some really extreme reations, but for others the process goes quite smoothly, depending on how used your body is to not running on glucose. A lot of people do get Keto flu as the adjust to fat burning rather than glucose burning.
 
When phasing over to a ketogenic diet.

You must supplement

Pottassium
Magensium
Calcium
and salt all food preferably hitting around 5g salt a day.

this will help with tiredness and lethargy and make switch over alot easier.


Ketostix are only good at the begininng of your keto journey as your body is very inefficient at using ketones and u will waste alot of ketones through breathe and urine.

over time they will always show negative, hydration plays a big part too.

Blood ketones strips are the way forward. when u start showing above 0.3mmol u are begining ketosis
 
benjo123456 said:
I've only just started a keto diet in the past week, I'm on day 7 today. My body has really struggled to adapt, and have had some really extreme reations, but for others the process goes quite smoothly, depending on how used your body is to not running on glucose. A lot of people do get Keto flu as the adjust to fat burning rather than glucose burning.
Click to expand...
Thanks Benjo,
 
laup said:
When phasing over to a ketogenic diet.

You must supplement

Pottassium
Magensium
Calcium
and salt all food preferably hitting around 5g salt a day.

this will help with tiredness and lethargy and make switch over alot easier.


Ketostix are only good at the begininng of your keto journey as your body is very inefficient at using ketones and u will waste alot of ketones through breathe and urine.

over time they will always show negative, hydration plays a big part too.

Blood ketones strips are the way forward. when u start showing above 0.3mmol u are begining ketosis
Click to expand...
I take magnesium citrate and sea salt at present.
 
laup said:
When phasing over to a ketogenic diet.

You must supplement

Pottassium
Magensium
Calcium
and salt all food preferably hitting around 5g salt a day.
Click to expand...
Here in the UK the only over the counter potassium supplements are impossibly weak, due to the fear that people may overdose. My GP doesn't want to prescribe them, even though I am currently obliged to take a diuretic, which is known to deplete potassium. I am therefore resorting to Lo-salt, which is one third sodium, two-thirds potassium. It does taste pretty good!
 
laup said:
When phasing over to a ketogenic diet.

You must supplement

Pottassium
Magensium
Calcium
and salt all food preferably hitting around 5g salt a day.

this will help with tiredness and lethargy and make switch over alot easier.


Ketostix are only good at the begininng of your keto journey as your body is very inefficient at using ketones and u will waste alot of ketones through breathe and urine.

over time they will always show negative, hydration plays a big part too.

Blood ketones strips are the way forward. when u start showing above 0.3mmol u are begining ketosis
Click to expand...
I'm not sure I would agree with must... I do take a magnesium supplement and sometimes add some salt to my coffee (as well as liberally applying it to food) but I don't take anything else and have had no ill effects.
 
Alexandra100 said:
Here in the UK the only over the counter potassium supplements are impossibly weak, due to the fear that people may overdose. My GP doesn't want to prescribe them, even though I am currently obliged to take a diuretic, which is known to deplete potassium. I am therefore resorting to Lo-salt, which is one third sodium, two-thirds potassium. It does taste pretty good!
Click to expand...


EBay 550mg pottasiun
 
Back
Top