Keto Test Strips: When To Start Testing?

Ketone test strips are a convenient way to measure ketosis, a natural state in which your body burns fat for fuel. They are particularly useful for people on the keto diet, which is a low-carb, high-fat and moderate-protein diet. The strips are made from a type of paper that changes colour when it comes into contact with ketones in the urine. The darker the colour, the higher the ketone levels.

There are two types of ketone test strips: urine and blood. Urine strips are ideal for people new to the keto diet as they are easy to use and affordable. Blood strips are more accurate but also more expensive and invasive.

It's important to note that ketone strips are not always accurate, especially for people who have been on the keto diet for a long time. This is because the body adapts to using ketones for fuel and becomes more optimised in producing them, resulting in fewer unused ketones being excreted through urine.

For optimal results, it is recommended to test ketone levels in the early morning on an empty stomach or several hours after your last meal of the day.

How to use keto strips

Keto strips are a popular way to check whether you're in ketosis—a natural state in which your body burns fat for fuel. There are two types of keto strips: urine and blood. Here's how to use each type:

Urine Strips

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. They are typically small strips with colour codes that indicate the level of ketones in your urine. The best time to test is early in the morning on an empty stomach, as it gives the most accurate results. Here's how to use urine keto strips:

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

Blood Strips

Once your body has become keto-adapted, blood strips can provide a more accurate measurement of ketone levels, although they are more expensive. You will need a meter to read the blood strips. Here's how to use blood keto strips:

• 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 into contact with the drop of blood and check the results.
• Dispose of the strip and lancet as instructed.

General Tips for Using Keto Strips:

• Always read the instructions provided with your keto strips and follow them exactly.
• Protect the test strips from damage, moisture, direct sunlight, and heat.
• Store the strips in a cool, dry place, but do not refrigerate them.
• Do not touch the test area of the strip or allow it to touch any surfaces.
• Check the expiration date and do not use the strips if they are discoloured or expired.
• For urine strips, collect a clean-catch sample by washing your hands and cleaning your genital area before urinating into a collection cup.

When to test your urine for ketones

Testing your urine for ketones can be done at home or in a lab. If you are testing at home, you can use a urine test strip. These are available over the counter at pharmacies and supermarkets, as well as online. They are relatively inexpensive and typically expire within three to six months of opening.

If you are testing in a lab, you will be asked to wash your hands and clean your genital area with a sterile cleansing pad. You will then need to collect one to two ounces of urine in a container and give the sample to a healthcare provider.

Whether you are testing at home or in a lab, there are certain times when it is recommended that you test your urine for ketones.

If you have diabetes

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

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

If you have diabetes, you should also test your ketones if you begin to experience any signs of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), including:

• Fruity-smelling breath
• Dry mouth or dehydration
• Nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain

If your blood sugar level is high or you are sick, check your ketone levels every four to six hours. If you are pregnant and have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, test them every morning before you eat breakfast.

If you are on a ketogenic diet

If you are on a ketogenic diet, it is recommended that you test your urine for ketones in the early morning or several hours after dinner. Testing at these times will give you the highest and most reliably detectable values of ketones.

Interpreting the results

The strips detect acetone and occasionally acetoacetic acid, both of which are sure signs that you are in ketosis.

• Light pink: Ketones are present but in small amounts.
• Dark purple: You are in full-blown ketosis.
• No colour change: No ketones are present.

However, it's important to note that keto test strips are not always 100% accurate. For example, if you've been in a keto-adapted state for several months, a keto strip may indicate that your urine contains only trace amounts of ketones, or even none at all. This doesn't necessarily mean that you're not in ketosis. As your body gets better at using ketones for fuel, fewer will be excreted in your urine.

If you want a more accurate reading, blood keto strips are a better option. These detect beta-hydroxybutyrate, the most metabolically active ketone.

Accuracy of keto strips

Keto strips, also known as ketone strips, are thin paper strips that detect ketones in urine. They are cheap, convenient, and will give you results within one minute. However, they do come with some drawbacks.

Ketone strips were originally developed for people with type 1 diabetes who are at a higher risk of ketoacidosis, a life-threatening condition where ketones reach dangerously high levels and make the blood acidic. The strips contain 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.

Accuracy

Ketone strips are most accurate when you're just entering ketosis, in the first week or two of a ketogenic diet. This is the time when your body is still adapting to this diet. After keto-adaptation, when your body makes more ketones than it can use, it gets rid of the excess through urine or breath. When ketones are fully metabolised, few, if any, will appear in the urine. Therefore, keto strips don't always paint the full picture in terms of how many ketones are in your system.

Other factors that can affect the accuracy of keto strips include:

• Hydration levels: The readings may be affected if you are drinking large amounts of water or are dehydrated. However, this is unlikely to impact the reading unless you are seriously dehydrated or drinking extreme amounts of water.
• Time of testing: For the most accurate results, it is recommended to test first thing in the morning or several hours after a meal.
• Health conditions: People with kidney problems may not get accurate results.

Alternatives to Keto Strips

There are two more accurate but more expensive ways to test for ketones:

• Blood ketone meters: These detect beta-hydroxybutyrate, the most metabolically active of the ketones. Not only is the meter costly ($50-$100), but the test strips are also expensive.
• Ketone breath analysers: These detect acetone in the breath, which directly correlates with blood beta-hydroxybutyrate. While cheaper than blood meters, breath analysers are still more expensive than keto strips.

Benefits of keto strip testing

Keto strips are a cheap and convenient way to determine whether your body is in a state of ketosis. Ketosis is a natural metabolic state in which your body burns fat for fuel. It is characterised by high ketone levels, which can be detected in your breath, urine, and blood. Here are some benefits of keto strip testing:

• Determine dangerously high blood ketones: Keto strips can help identify if you have high levels of ketones in your blood, which may indicate a dangerous condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. This is a potentially life-threatening complication of diabetes, especially Type 1 Diabetes, and requires immediate medical attention.
• Check if your body is in ketosis: One of the main goals of a ketogenic diet is to enter and maintain a state of ketosis for weight loss and other health benefits. Keto strips are an easy and affordable way to monitor your progress and ensure your body is burning fat effectively.
• Easy and convenient: Urine keto strips are simple to use and provide results in seconds. They are also non-invasive, which means you don't have to prick your finger or draw blood. This makes them a preferred choice for people who are scared of blood or find it bothersome.
• Accountability and connection: Testing ketone levels with keto strips can help you stay accountable and make a connection between your food intake, ketone levels, and how you feel at different levels of ketosis. This can be especially useful when starting a keto diet or getting back on track after a cheat day or diet break.
• Bulk kits available: Keto strips typically come in bulk kits containing 50 to several hundred strips. If you test once per day, a bulk kit can last for three months or more. This makes keto strip testing a cost-effective option for monitoring ketosis.
• No specific timing required: Unlike blood testing, keto strip testing does not require specific timing. You can test your urine at any time of the day, although testing in the morning or evening is preferred, preferably at the same hour for consistency.

Frequently asked questions