Keto Test Strips: How And When To Use Them

Ketone test strips are used to measure the level of ketones in your urine. This is important for people on the ketogenic diet, and for people with diabetes, as high levels of ketones in urine may indicate a dangerous condition called diabetic ketoacidosis.

There are three types of ketone strip tests: urine, blood, and breath. Urine strips are the most commonly used. They are small strips with colour codes that indicate the level of ketones in your urine. The strips are made from a special type of paper that contains chemicals that change colour when they come into contact with ketones in the urine.

To use a urine ketone strip, collect a urine sample in a clean container, then hold the end of the strip in the urine for a few seconds. Shake off any excess liquid, then wait 15 seconds for the colour to change. Finally, compare the colour of the strip to the colour chart provided with the strips.

How to use keto test strips

Keto test strips are used to measure the level of ketones in your urine. This is done by dipping the test strip into a urine sample and waiting for the strip to change colour. The colour of the strip is then compared to a chart to determine the level of ketones in your urine.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Keto Test Strips:

• Wash your hands.
• Collect a urine sample in a clean container.
• Dip the test end of the strip into the urine sample for a few seconds.
• Remove the strip from the urine and shake off 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 provided with the product.
• Dispose of the urine strip and wash your hands.

Tips for Accurate Results:

• 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 touch the testing area with your hands.
• Check the expiry date before testing and do not use the strips if they are discoloured.

Interpreting the Results:

The keto test strips will 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.

Ketone Levels Reference:

• Negative (no ketones): You are not in ketosis.
• Trace (0.5 mmol/L): Light nutritional ketosis.
• Small (1.5 mmol/L): Light nutritional ketosis.
• Moderate (4.0 mmol/L): Increased ketone levels as a result of exercise or fasting.
• Large (8.0 mmol/L): Usually as a result of prolonged fasting; not sustainable in the long term.
• Larger (16 mmol/L): Usually as a result of prolonged fasting; not sustainable in the long term.

When to Use Keto Test Strips:

The best time to test your ketone levels is early in the morning on an empty stomach, as this will give the most accurate results.

Benefits of Keto Test Strips:

• Determine dangerously high blood ketones.
• Check if your body is in ketosis.

When to use keto test strips

Keto test strips are used to measure the level of ketones in your urine. They are typically used by people on the ketogenic diet or by people with diabetes. For people with diabetes, high levels of ketones in the urine may indicate a dangerous condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a medical emergency and can be life-threatening.

The best time to use a keto test strip is early in the morning on an empty stomach. This is because your body will have rested and cleared the food taken in before night, giving you the most accurate results. You can also choose to test at another time, but you may want to ask your doctor if any medications you are taking may interfere with the test.

If you have type 1 diabetes, it is recommended that you always have a supply of keto test strips and know how to use them. If you have type 2 diabetes, your doctor or nurse will advise you on whether you need to test your urine for ketones. If you are pregnant, your doctor or nurse will tell you when to test your urine for ketones.

In addition to testing for ketones in the urine, you can also test for ketones in the blood or breath. Blood ketone testing is more accurate but is also more expensive and invasive. Breath ketone testing is affordable and non-invasive but less accurate.

Interpreting keto test strip results

Keto test strips are a cheap and convenient way to test for ketosis. The strips are made from a type of paper that changes colour when it reacts with your urine. The strips measure acetoacetate, the second most abundant ketone that your body excretes through urine.

The strips have an absorptive pad on one end that contains a chemical reagent (usually nitroprusside) that changes colour in the presence of acids such as ketones in urine. The colour depth change varies depending on the concentration of ketones. Light pink means ketones are present but in small amounts, while dark purple means you're in full-blown ketosis.

• 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.

Note: mmol/L stands for millimoles per litre, and it refers to the concentration of ketones in a specific amount of liquid — in this case, your urine.

The optimum level for ketosis falls between 0.5 and 2 mmol/L. However, higher ketone levels (above 5 mmol/L) can lead to more significant weight loss but may eventually result in nutrient deprivation and a loss of muscle mass.

It's important to note that urine keto test strips are not always 100% accurate and the readings may fluctuate for a number of reasons. For example, ketones 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. Additionally, hydration levels can affect the results. If someone is drinking large amounts of water, it may dilute the urine and affect the reading. On the other hand, if someone is dehydrated, higher concentrations of ketones may be present.

It's also worth noting that as the body adapts to burning fat for fuel, it becomes more adept at burning ketones for energy, and the volume of ketones excreted will fall. This means that ketone readings may go down over time, even as the body becomes more in ketosis.

Therefore, while keto test strips are a reasonably accurate and cheap way to detect someone's approximate state of ketosis, they don't always tell the full story. For a more accurate measurement, blood ketone meters and breath ketone analysers are available but are more expensive.

Accuracy of keto test strips

Keto test strips are a popular tool for measuring ketosis, but they are not always 100% accurate.

Keto test strips are small strips of special paper that react to ketones in the urine by changing colour. The darker the colour, the higher the ketone levels.

Limitations of Urine Strips

Urine strips only measure the unused or excess ketones that the body doesn't use for energy. Therefore, just because the level of ketones in the urine is small, it doesn't mean that the levels in the blood are also small, or that the body is not in ketosis.

In addition, hydration levels can impact the accuracy of urine strips. For example, drinking large amounts of water may dilute the urine and affect the reading. Conversely, if someone is dehydrated, higher concentrations of ketones may be present.

Urine strips are also subjective, as the user must compare the colour of the strip to the colour chart on the packaging.

Blood Tests vs Urine Strips

Blood ketone levels are considered a more accurate way of measuring ketosis than urine strips. Blood tests measure beta-hydroxybutyrate, the most prevalent and stable ketone body in the blood, which is readily used by cells as fuel.

Blood tests are also quantitative, providing a real-time insight into metabolism.

Urine strips are a good tool for measuring ketosis during the first few weeks of a keto diet. During this time, the body cannot use ketones efficiently for energy, so many are excreted in the urine.

However, as the body adapts to using ketones for fuel, it becomes more optimised in producing them, leaving less unused. Therefore, if someone has been in a keto-adapted state for many months, a urine strip may indicate only trace amounts of ketones, which can be misleading.

Best Time to Test

The best time to test for ketosis is early in the morning on an empty stomach, as this gives the most accurate results. Testing several hours after the last meal of the day can also provide a good comparison.

Benefits of keto test strips

Keto test strips are a convenient, easy, and quick way to measure ketone levels in the body. Here are some benefits of using keto test strips:

• Convenience and Ease of Use: Keto test strips are simple to use and can be used at home or on the go. The strips are small and easy to carry, making them perfect for those with busy lifestyles or who want to test their ketone levels discreetly. The strips only require a small urine sample, which can be collected in a container or by dipping the strip directly into the urine stream. This non-invasive method provides results in seconds, making it a quick and convenient option for those on the keto diet.
• Affordability: Urine keto test strips are usually inexpensive and can be purchased over the counter at pharmacies, supermarkets, or online. They often come in bulk kits containing 50 to 100 strips, or even more, providing enough strips for regular testing. This affordability makes them accessible to anyone wanting to monitor their ketone levels without breaking the bank.
• Monitoring Ketosis Progress: For those following a ketogenic diet, keto test strips are an excellent tool to determine if your body has entered ketosis, a natural state where your body burns fat for fuel. By measuring ketone levels in the urine, these strips help you understand if your diet is on track and make adjustments accordingly. This is especially beneficial for those new to the keto diet, helping them stay accountable and make connections between their food choices, ketone levels, and overall well-being.
• Detecting Dangerously High Ketone Levels: While the keto diet offers health benefits, it's important to monitor ketone levels to ensure they don't reach dangerous levels. High ketone levels in the urine or blood can indicate a condition called ketoacidosis, which is a serious complication, especially for people with diabetes. Keto test strips can help identify this potential health risk, allowing individuals to seek medical attention if needed.
• Flexibility in Testing Times: Although testing in the morning on an empty stomach is recommended for the most accurate results, keto test strips offer flexibility in testing times. You can choose a time that suits your schedule, whether it's in the morning, evening, or midday. This flexibility allows individuals to fit testing into their daily routines without significant disruptions.

Frequently asked questions