Keto Sticks For Urinalysis: How Do They Work?

Ketone strips are a popular tool for people on the keto diet to measure their level of ketosis. They are a cheap and simple way of detecting ketone levels in the body.

Ketone strips are made from a type of paper that changes colour when it comes into contact with ketones in the urine. They measure acetoacetate, the second most abundant ketone which the body excretes through urine.

To use a ketone strip, you need to collect a urine sample in a clean container, then dip the strip into the urine sample for a few seconds. After removing the strip, wait for the strip to change colour, then compare the colour with the chart on the test package.

The darker the colour, the more ketone bodies are detected in the urine. However, ketone strips are not always accurate. For example, ketone strips only show the number of excessive ketones that the body couldn't use. Therefore, a small level of ketones in the urine does not necessarily mean that the levels in the blood are also small.

How to use keto sticks for urinalysis

Keto sticks are a popular tool for people on the keto diet to check whether they are in ketosis, a natural state in which the body burns fat for fuel. They are a cheap, simple, and non-invasive way of detecting ketone levels.

The keto sticks, also known as keto strips, measure the level of ketones in your urine. They are made from a type of paper that changes colour when it reacts with your urine.

How to use them

• Wash your hands.
• Pee into a small, clean container. Alternatively, you can pass the end of the strip through your urine stream.
• Dip the test end of the strip into the urine sample for a few seconds.
• Shake the strip to remove any excess liquid.
• Wait for 15 seconds or until the strip changes colour.
• Compare the colour of the strip to the colour chart on the test package.
• Dispose of the strip and wash your hands.

Interpreting the results

The keto strips usually have a light beige colour, which gets darker as the level of ketones increases. The deeper the colour, the more ketone bodies are detected in your urine.

Keto strips are not always accurate. For example, they only show the number of excess ketones that your body couldn't use. So, if the level of ketones in your urine is small, it doesn't necessarily mean that the levels in your blood are also small. Blood ketone levels are a more accurate way of measuring ketosis.

When to use them

The best time to use keto strips is in the morning on an empty stomach. Testing ketones early in the morning after sleep gives the most accurate results because your body will have rested and cleared the food taken in the night before.

How to interpret the results

How to Interpret Ketone Strip Results

Ketone strips are made from a special type of paper that changes colour when it comes into contact with ketones in the urine. The strips have a light beige colour, which darkens as the level of ketones increases. The strips will indicate the presence of ketones in your urine, but they won't tell you the exact amount.

Interpreting the Results

The strips will change colour according to the concentration of ketones in your urine. The colour chart below shows what each colour means:

• Negative (no ketones): You are not in ketosis at all
• Trace (0.5 mmol/L): This means light nutritional ketosis
• Small (1.5 mmol/L): This means light nutritional ketosis
• Moderate (4.0 mmol/L): Ketones increase further as a result of exercise or fasting
• Large (8.0 mmol/L): Usually a result of prolonged fasting, not sustainable in the long term
• Larger (16 mmol/L): Usually a result of prolonged fasting, not sustainable in the long term

The optimum level for nutritional ketosis falls between 0.5 and 2 mmol/L. However, higher ketone levels are not necessarily better for everyone. While high ketone levels (5 mmol/L and above) can lead to more significant weight loss, this may eventually result in nutrient deprivation and a loss of muscle mass.

If you are following the low-carb, high-fat keto diet to attain weight loss and improve metabolic health in general, ketone levels above the optimum range (0.5 and 2 mmol/L) are unnecessary unless prescribed by your healthcare provider for medical reasons.

Other Factors That Affect the Results

There are a few reasons why your ketone levels may decrease or increase despite your consistency with the keto diet:

• Adaptation: As your body adapts to the ketogenic diet, it becomes more effective at utilising ketones as fuel. This means that ketones are less likely to spill over into your urine, so you might be at a deeper level of ketosis than your test results show.
• Dehydration: One study found a direct proportion between serum ketone concentration and the level of dehydration. The more dehydrated a subject was, the higher their ketone levels. Ensuring good hydration when testing for ketones helps produce more accurate and consistent results.
• Expired test strips: Check the expiration date of your urine test strips. Strips usually expire within 3-6 months after you open the sealed bottle container. Store the bottle in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight to preserve their quality.

When to use keto sticks for urinalysis

Keto sticks are a cheap and convenient way to find out if you're in ketosis. They are particularly useful for people who are new to the keto diet and want to ensure they are on the right track.

If you want to check your urine ketones day-to-day, it's best to stick to a specific time, like in the morning or several hours after your last meal of the day, for the best comparison.

Here's how to use keto sticks for urinalysis:

• Wash your hands, then take a urine sample in a small container.
• Immerse the absorptive end of the stick into the sample for a few seconds, then remove.
• Wait for the amount of time outlined on the package for the stick to change colour.
• Compare the stick with the colour chart on the packaging.
• Dispose of the urine and stick in an appropriate manner before washing your hands.

The colour corresponds to the concentration of ketones in your urine, which can range from no ketones to high concentrations. The darker the colour, the higher your ketone levels.

It's important to note that urine keto sticks may not be accurate in the long run. As your body gets used to the keto diet, it becomes more effective at using ketones for fuel, meaning fewer are left over to be picked up by the test. Therefore, if you've been following the keto diet for several months and want a more accurate picture of your ketone levels, blood keto sticks are a more suitable option.

Accuracy of keto sticks for urinalysis

Keto sticks for urinalysis are a cheap and simple way to detect ketone levels. However, they are not always as accurate as most people believe.

Inaccurate readings

There are several circumstances in which an inaccurate reading could be possible:

• Ketone levels in urine don't give a true indication of what's happening in the body. Urine strips only show the number of excess ketones that the body couldn't use. Therefore, a small level of ketones in urine does not mean that the levels in the blood are also small.
• Over or under hydration may affect ketone levels. Drinking large amounts of water may dilute urine and affect the reading. Dehydration may result in higher ketone concentrations. However, keto strips are designed for the average person consuming typical amounts of water, so hydration status should not significantly affect the readings.
• It takes time for the body to adapt to burning fat for fuel. When someone first starts a ketogenic diet, the body won't be using ketones efficiently, resulting in a higher concentration of waste ketones in the urine. As the body adapts, it will become more adept at burning ketones for energy, and the volume of ketones excreted will fall. Consequently, ketone readings may go down at this time.

Other ways to measure ketone levels

There are three main ways to measure ketone levels in the body:

• Blood meters: This is the most accurate way to measure ketone levels but it is also the most expensive. Blood ketone meters detect the concentration of beta-hydroxybutyrate in the blood.
• Breath analysers: Breath analysers are more expensive than keto sticks but are a one-time purchase. They are straightforward to use and do not require urine or blood.
• Urine strips: Urine strips are the cheapest option but they have low accuracy compared to the alternatives.

Benefits of keto sticks for urinalysis

Keto sticks for urinalysis are a cheap and convenient way of finding out if you are in ketosis. They are also known as 'ketone sticks' and work by urinalysis to tell the volume of acetoacetate in your urine. Acetoacetate is one of the two main ketone bodies and is present in urine.

The process of using keto sticks for urinalysis is as follows:

• Wash your hands, then take a urine sample in a small container.
• Immerse the absorptive end of the stick into the sample for a few seconds, then remove.
• Wait for the amount of time outlined on the package for the stick to change colour.
• Compare the stick with the colour chart on the packaging.
• Dispose of the urine and stick in an appropriate manner before washing your hands.

The darker the colour, the higher your ketone levels.

Who are they for?

Keto sticks for urinalysis are ideal if you're new to the keto diet and want an easy and affordable way to ensure you're headed towards ketosis. They are also helpful if you find yourself trying to get back into ketosis after a cheat day or diet break.

Accuracy

Keto sticks for urinalysis are a reasonably accurate and cheap way to detect someone's (approximate) state of ketosis. However, they are not always as accurate as most people believe. For example, ketones in urine don't give a true indication of what's happening in the body. Urine sticks only show the number of excessive ketones that the body couldn't use.

If you've been in a keto-adapted state for many months, a keto stick may indicate that your urine contains only trace amounts of ketones, if any. This can mislead people into thinking they're no longer in ketosis, which may not be the case.

If you are purposefully aiming to be strongly in ketosis, or you are undertaking a ketogenic diet for a medical purpose, blood ketone meters are more accurate than testing by urine strips.

Frequently asked questions