Keto Urine Test Accuracy During Menstruation

A ketone test is used to detect the presence of ketones in the body. Ketones are acids produced in the liver when the body does not have enough insulin to turn sugar into energy. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including diabetes, low-carb diets, fasting, prolonged intense exercise, and more. The test can be done on either a blood or urine sample, with the former being more accurate but also more expensive and less convenient. For those on their period, it is recommended to test for ketones, especially if they have diabetes.

Ketone test strips

When to Test for Ketones in Urine

You should test for ketones in your urine if you think you are likely to have higher than normal ketone levels. This can happen if you are on a low-carbohydrate diet, are diabetic, or are experiencing symptoms of DKA such as fruity-smelling breath, dry mouth or dehydration, nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain.

How Often to Test for Ketones in Urine

When you first start a ketogenic diet, it is recommended to test your ketone levels often, perhaps twice a day, to monitor your progress and watch your progression into ketosis. Testing in the morning, an hour or two after waking and before either lunch or dinner (fasted at least two hours) is suggested.

How to Test for Ketones in Urine

To test for ketones in your urine, you can use ketone test strips, which are available over the counter at pharmacies or online. Simply hold the test strip in the stream of your urine until it's saturated, or collect a "clean-catch" sample by washing your hands and cleaning your genital area before urinating into a collection cup. After you've finished urinating, dip a test strip into the cup to saturate it thoroughly.

Interpreting the Results

If the ketone test strip changes colour, it indicates that there are ketones in your urine. Compare the colour of the test strip to the colour chart that comes with the test kit to determine the ketone level. A "moderate" to "large" result can be a sign of a problem if you have diabetes.

Accuracy of Ketone Test Strips

While testing your urine for ketones is generally considered less accurate than a blood ketone test, it can still be a useful way to monitor your condition or know when it's time to seek further medical care. The accuracy of the results depends on factors such as how diluted your urine is and the expiration date of the testing kit.

Accuracy of ketone test strips

Ketone test strips are a quick, easy, and accurate method of measuring ketones in your body. They are made from a special type of paper that contains chemicals that change colour when they come into contact with ketones in the urine. The strips have colour codes that indicate the level of ketones in your urine.

There are two types of ketone test strips: urine and blood. Urine strips are ideal if you're new to the keto diet and want an easy and affordable way to ensure you're headed towards ketosis. Blood strips are more accurate but also more expensive.

Urine test strips are not always accurate. Inaccurate results are possible in a few circumstances. Ketones in urine don't give a true indication of what's happening in the body. Ketones that are unused by the body are excreted through urine. Urine strips only measure the unused or excess ketones that our body doesn't use. Blood ketone levels are more accurate than urine ketone test strips.

The best time to do a ketone strip test is early in the morning on an empty stomach. You can choose another time, although you may ask your doctor if any medications you are on may interfere with the test. It is important to test ketones early in the morning after sleep because your body will rest and clear the food taken in before the night, which gives accurate results.

• Collect the urine sample in a clean container.
• Hold the end of the strip in the urine sample for a couple of seconds.
• Shake the strip in the container to remove any excess liquid.
• Wait for 15 seconds until the colour of the strip changes.
• Compare the colour of your ketone strip with the colour chart.
• Discard the urine strip.
• Load the lancet with the needle, following the directions provided.
• Insert a blood ketone strip into the ketone meter.
• Prick your finger to draw a small drop of blood using the lancet.
• Let the strip come in contact with the drop of blood and check the results.
• Dispose of the strip and lancet as suggested in the directions.

To keep the results accurate and reliable, do the following:

• Collect a clean-catch urine sample.
• Replace the cap of the strips after every use.
• Do not expose the strips to sunlight or moisture.
• Do not remove the desiccants.
• Do not touch the testing area with your hands.
• Check the expiry date before testing.

Ketone test strips and keto diets

Ketone test strips are used to test for ketones in the urine. Ketones are produced when the body breaks down fat for energy instead of using blood glucose. This can happen when the body does not have enough insulin to turn glucose into energy, or when someone is following a low-carbohydrate diet.

Ketone test strips are available to buy over the counter and can be used at home. They are easy to use and typically involve holding the test strip in a urine stream or dipping it into a sample of urine. The strip will change colour, and this can be compared to a colour chart to determine the ketone level.

For those following a ketogenic diet, testing ketone levels in the urine is a way to monitor progress and watch the progression into ketosis. It is recommended to test often, perhaps twice a day, when first starting a ketogenic diet. The best times to test are in the early morning, and several hours after dinner in the evening.

It is important to note that testing ketone levels in the urine is not as accurate as testing blood ketone levels. Urine ketone levels can vary depending on how diluted the urine is, and the results may not be accurate if someone is dehydrated.

When to test for ketones

Testing for ketones is important for monitoring a ketogenic diet and for checking for complications arising from diabetes. The best time to test for ketones is in the early morning or after dinner, as this is when ketones are most reliably detected in urine. Testing can be done via urine or blood samples.

Testing for a Ketogenic Diet

When following a ketogenic diet, it is recommended to test for ketones often, perhaps twice a day, to monitor your progress and watch your progression into ketosis. Testing should be done while fasted, in the morning, an hour or two after waking, and before lunch or dinner (fasted for at least two hours).

Testing for Diabetes

If you have diabetes, your doctor will probably tell you to test your ketones when:

• Your blood sugar is higher than 250 milligrams/deciliter (mg/dL) for two days in a row.
• You're sick or injured.
• You want to exercise and your blood sugar level is over 250 mg/dL.
• You've missed an insulin injection.
• You're on your period.
• You've been unable to eat.
• Your insulin pump stops working.

If you are pregnant and have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, test your ketones every morning before you eat breakfast.

Testing for Other Reasons

There are other reasons to test for ketones, including:

• Pregnancy and/or breastfeeding.
• Prolonged vomiting and diarrhea.
• Not eating for an extended time (e.g. fasting).
• Serious illnesses, infections, or injuries.
• Having too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism).
• Not eating many (or any) carbohydrates.

How to lower ketone levels

If you have high ketone levels, it is important to take action to lower them and prevent your condition from worsening. Here are some ways to lower ketone levels:

• Drink water: Drinking water can help to flush out ketones through urine. If your blood sugar is above 250 mg/dL, opt for sugar-free drinks, otherwise, you can have liquids with sugar such as juice or sports drinks.
• Monitor blood sugar and ketone levels: Check your blood sugar every 3 to 4 hours to ensure you are getting adequate insulin. If you get two consecutive readings of 240 mg/dL or higher, re-check your ketone levels.
• Take insulin: Administer enough rapid-acting insulin so your body can use glucose instead of fat. Make sure you are not skipping meals. If you are unable to eat due to nausea or vomiting, seek emergency medical help.
• Call your doctor: If your ketone levels are between 1.6 and 3.0 mmol/L, contact your doctor for advice on how to bring them down. If your ketone levels are above 3.0 mmol/L, call emergency services immediately.
• Avoid exercise: Exercising can raise ketone levels as it causes your body to burn fat for fuel. Take a break from your workout routine and avoid activities that raise your heart rate or make you sweat.
• Increase carbohydrate intake: If you have been on a low-carb diet, reintroduce carbohydrates. Aim for at least 25-30% of your daily intake to be carbohydrates and gradually increase this amount.
• Avoid fasting: Instead of fasting, eat 3 regular meals and 1-2 snacks per day. This will provide your body with glucose to burn, reducing the need for your body to burn fat and produce ketones.
• Avoid alcohol: Alcohol can cause your pancreas to stop producing insulin temporarily, leading to an increase in ketone levels. If you are a heavy drinker, consider cutting back or stopping alcohol consumption.

It is important to monitor your ketone levels and take action to lower them if they are high. If you are experiencing any symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), such as extreme weakness, dry mouth, frequent urination, high blood sugar, nausea, stomach pain, fruity-smelling breath, or confusion, seek emergency medical attention.

Frequently asked questions