Ketosis v ketoacidosis question

Margarettt

Well-Known Member
Messages
367
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Following a couple of months of believing I was less than 20g carbs then discovering all the extra carbs I consumed in nicotine lozenges I have for the last week been actually, ,properly 5-15 carbs. The weight is coming down again, my bg is mostly in the 5s and I feel great.
What about ketoacidosis ? Google tells me its unusual but can happen in type 2. Should I be supplementing with electrolytes ? (I typed that like I knew what I was talking about, I really don't)
I bought the wee test strips and if I'm understanding properly they should be pink. The last three mornings they have been very dark purple (the last or next to last colour on the strip) I think that means I'm in ketosis and all is well.
I drink lots and wee lots but I've done that for weeks now and otherwise I feel better than ever.
I think the actual question is - Do I have to worry about ketoacidosis and is there anything to be done to avoid it?

Edited for spelling (its early)
 
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JoKalsbeek

Expert
Messages
6,449
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Following a couple of months of believing I was less than 20g carbs then discovering all the extra carbs I consumed in nicotine lozenges I have for the last week been actually, ,properly 5-15 carbs. The weight is coming down again, my bg is mostly in the 5s and I feel great.
What about ketoacidosis ? Google tells me its unusual but can happen in type 2. Should I be supplementing with electrolytes ? (I typed that like I knew what I was talking about, I really don't)
I bought the wee test strips and if I'm understanding properly they should be pink. The last three mornings they have been very dark purple (the last or next to last colour on the strip) I think that means I'm in ketosis and all is well.
I drink lots and wee lots but I've done that for weeks now and otherwise I feel better than ever.
I think the actual question is - Do I have to worry about ketoacidosis and is there anything to be done to avoid it?

Edited for spelling (its early)
Ketoacidosis happens when your blood sugars are high, and your body desperately starts wasting away muscles/organs/anything for energy. Happens more often in sick or uncontrolled T1's, but can happen if a T2 is on certain medication, has an illness, is high, and is basically dealing with an unlikely but not impossible perfect storm. Nutritional ketosis is a perfectly healthy goal, and if your blood sugar readings aren't very high (and I do mean the kind that make your meter go "HI"), you're perfectly fine.

If you feel flu-ish, sore muscles/joints and headachey when you lower your carb intake, supplement with electrolytes through pills or bone broth and such. Carbs retain water, and when you eat fewer carbs, you end up weeing for England and losing a lot of water-weight. With that water though, you also flush out electrolytes, so you can end up a wee bit dehydrated and suffering from keto-flu before you level out a bit. If you make slower adjustments though, it might not even come up.

All you have to do to avoid ketoacidois then, is not get ill while on certain medication and while being rediculously high. And I do believe you've got that covered. ;)
 

Margarettt

Well-Known Member
Messages
367
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
@JoKalsbeek You have no idea what a big help and support you personally (and lots of other people) have been to me on this journey. Thank you.
If you make slower adjustments though, it might not even come up.
By my way of thinking the last nine weeks I was always less than 20g, mostly less than 10g in food and between 40g and 100g in lozengers so the total was mostly less than 100g carbs anyway. I'm considering that as my slower adjustment period. I might even get my head to a place where I did it on purpose rather than my worse mistake ever. I'm hoping this will let me skip the keto flu phase.
Thanks again @JoKalsbeek . You are a cheerleader
 
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Antje77

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Retired Moderator
Messages
20,567
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
Ketoacidosis with normal or mildly elevated BG, like you have, as a rule only happens in people on a SGLT-2 inhibitor (medication ending on -flozin).

Just adding this to @JoKalsbeek information in case someone on a flozin happens upon this thread because they experience symptoms of DKA and did a search on it.
 

BigAlan

Well-Known Member
Messages
47
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Stupid people.

"Intelligent people are being silenced so that stupid people are not offended."

Author unkown
Ketoacidosis with normal or mildly elevated BG, like you have, as a rule only happens in people on a SGLT-2 inhibitor (medication ending on -flozin).

Just adding this to @JoKalsbeek information in case someone on a flozin happens upon this thread because they experience symptoms of DKA and did a search on it.
I have started a topic on this as a new keto diet prescriber and on 10mg Emplafiglozen 1 x daily. Today, 03.01.24 has been incredibly horrendous.
See what tomorrow brings.lol.
 
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Antje77

Guru
Retired Moderator
Messages
20,567
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
I have started a topic on this as a new keto diet prescriber and on 10mg Emplafiglozen 1 x daily. Today, 03.01.24 has been incredibly horrendous.
See what tomorrow brings.lol.
Be safe!