T2s and Ketostix - a few quick questions

[LittleGreyCat]

I'm doing LCHF and restricted calories and extra exercise at the moment.
I've assumed that I am in nutritional ketosis but finally bought a tub of ketostix to check for ketones in my urine.

Tried my first test, and I do seem to be in ketosis; at least, there are ketones in my urine which I assume means that I am also metabolising them and not just flushing them out.

First question:

how does everyone test? My first attempt involved waving the stick in the flow of urine whilst trying not to pee all over the floor. It might be easier and more accurate to use a plastic tub to catch some urine, then dip and count the 15 seconds.

Second question:

I know from reading previous posts that urine level is not accurate because it just shows the amount your body is discarding because it doesn't need it. What level on average does the LCHF tester see?
My first test was between 4 and 8 mmol/L which is in the "be worried" range for insulin users but shouldn't be a massive issue for T2s on Metformin and diet/exercise.

This also tells me that I am throwing some energy away; if I was breaking fats down to ketones and providing just enough for my energy needs then there would be none in my urine. I wonder what this tells me about my stage of nutritional ketosis? To give some idea of my regime, I had a bullet resistant coffee about 08:00 this morning (butter and double cream) then got back from my 90 minute walk around 13:30-14:00 and tested for ketones then. So I must have been running on ketones during my exercise. BG was 4.7 just after I had tested my urine.

Third question:

what time of day do you test? I assume that a fasting test in the morning may well be different to a just before bed test or one in the middle of the day.

Is it worth flushing your kidneys by drinking a load of water, then testing?

 

[Chook]

First question: I go for the first option while trying not to pee on my hand or the floor

Second question: I know that people in ketosis for a long time might not get a reading on the ketosticks. When I do it the test stick usually usually turns a pale shade of pink.

Third question: Again, just something I read somewhere, I test mid afternoon.

I don't really take it all that seriously unless it doesn't turn any colour at all or turns a really dark colour like it did the Christmas Day before last - now THAT was worrying - it was the maximum darkness. I don't know what caused it but it was okay the next day.

I wouldn't bother drinking loads of water beforehand, that would be manipulating the test to give a result that your body doesn't usually run at (unless, of course, you drink loads of water all the time).

 

[LittleGreyCat]

Thanks.

The main point of the loads of water was to get rid of any accumulated ketones in the urine, and hope that the test then showed roughly what was passing into the urine over a short time.

There are caveats in the instructions about testing just after exercise or if the urine is concentrated.

At 10p a stick I might experiment a bit.

 

[bulkbiker]

There are some meters that test blood sugar and ketones. I use a SD Codefree for glucose and got a Glucomen LX for ketones.. however the ketone strips are very expensive about £25 for 10!. If I see them cheaper (on ebay for example) I try and stockpile a load.
Recently however I heard about a new meter called the Care Sens Dual which does glucose and ketones and the ketone strips are about £10 for 10.. so much cheaper although still not a bargain.
They are available although not on general release yet (as far as I am aware).
The company which sells them is called spirit healthcare.
The glucose strips are £9.95 for 50.

As I have just bought a load of ketone strips I haven't bought one of these yet but may well switch over when they run out.
This is the reply they sent me

" Thank you for your enquiry.

We have not yet listed the product on the website, but we do have it is available to purchase.

Please see prices below:

CareSens Dual Meter is £14.99

CareSens N Pro Test strips for Glucose are £9.95 for a pot of 50

CareSens N KetoSens Test Strips are £9.99 for a pot of 10


Should you want to place an order for this product, you can call us on 0800 881 5423, and we will be able to process the payment over the phone.

If you require any further information please don’t hesitate to contact us."

You are right about your body peeing out less ketones as you get more fat adapted so the strips become less accurate assuming they ever were)

I usually do the blood test in the morning after a shower I have done afternoon too but not noticed a huge difference .. however at a pound a pop I only test once per day at most.

Hope that helps
Regards
M