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Low Carb and ketones in blood?

J

Jsroberts92

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Been trying low carb for a few weeks now, am type 1 and my blood glucose levels have never been better! I have more energy to concentrate, and feel so much healthier.

I've lost quite a substantial bit of weight, not intended but a rather nice side effect. Not having any high blood sugar episodes and no ketones in my urine whatsoever.

However, I chose to perform a blood ketone test, to find my blood ketones were 0.7mmol/l. Is this safe, or am I doing something wrong? Do I need to see my healthcare professional regarding this?
 
hi @Jsroberts92 and welcome

It's quite normal to get ketones when low carbing - I am usually anything up to 3 or so. It's because you are burning fat for fuel, but as long as you have sufficient insulin (normal blood sugars) then they won't build up to dangerous levels.
 
Anything from 0.5 - 5.0 is considered nutritional ketosis, and is normal with a very low carb intake. As long as it stays in that range, nothing to worry about. If it goes 10+, 20+, then be concerned because it means you haven't got enough insulin on board.
 
hi
been on lchf diet now for a week now and feeling good up until drs appt today.
he basically didnt agree with it.
i provided a urine sample and he informs me that ketones are present.
he seems concerned, should i ignore his advice about diet?
my bg levels steady throughout day between 4.9 - 5.8. 2 x metformin a day.
thanks for any advice
 
paul5040 said:
hi
been on lchf diet now for a week now and feeling good up until drs appt today.
he basically didnt agree with it.
i provided a urine sample and he informs me that ketones are present.
he seems concerned, should i ignore his advice about diet?
my bg levels steady throughout day between 4.9 - 5.8. 2 x metformin a day.
thanks for any advice
Click to expand...
If you are in dietary ketosis and your BGs are stable at those levels, then the ketones are not a problem - they are to be expected.
 
thank you robert,
unfortunately my gp is not open to discussion about my new diet regime, he just tells me to eat well balanced diet with plenty of carbs and wont accept my arguments to the contrary, in fact dismissing them all together.
i have asked him to have a look at the dietdoctor website, but alas,not interested.
time to consider changing my gp i think.
 
paul5040 said:
thank you robert,
unfortunately my gp is not open to discussion about my new diet regime, he just tells me to eat well balanced diet with plenty of carbs and wont accept my arguments to the contrary, in fact dismissing them all together.
i have asked him to have a look at the dietdoctor website, but alas,not interested.
time to consider changing my gp i think.
Click to expand...
Are you Type 1 or 2? My consultant mentioned I had ketones at my last appointment, but I told him I had been fasting for the lipid blood test so it didn't go any further.
 
hi
i am type 2. and still learning a lot after burying my head in the sand for the last 7 years.
but i feel im going in right direction now thanks to this site. managed to drop 2 stone in 3 months
he wants me to give another sample tomorrow, so i'll see what he's got to say about it and hope he knows the sp on dieatary ketosis.
thanks
 
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