Keto Monitoring: Best Devices For Tracking Ketosis

If you're following a ketogenic diet, a ketone meter is an essential tool to help you stay in nutritional ketosis. There are three main ways to measure your ketone levels: blood, urine, or breath. Blood ketone meters are considered the gold standard for ketone testing as they are the most accurate and reliable form of testing. However, breath ketone meters and urine test strips are also popular options as they are cheaper and less invasive. When choosing a ketone meter, consider factors such as accuracy, ease of use, warranty, Bluetooth connectivity, and price. It is also important to read user reviews and compare the features of different brands to find the best ketone meter for your specific needs.

Blood ketone meters vs breath ketone meters vs urine testing strips

Blood Ketone Meters vs. Breath Ketone Meters vs. Urine Testing Strips

There are three basic categories of ketone testing: blood, breath, and urine. Each method measures something different: blood tests measure β-hydroxybutyrate levels, breath tests measure acetone levels, and urine tests measure acetoacetate levels. β-hydroxybutyrate, acetoacetate, and acetone are all ketones produced during fat metabolism.

Blood Ketone Meters

Blood ketone meters give a reading of the amount of β-hydroxybutyrate circulating in your blood. They require a finger-stick to produce a very small drop of blood for testing, but are otherwise relatively quick and easy. Blood ketone meters require a battery (usually included with purchase), but they do not need to be charged or plugged in. They require a test strip for each test (about $1/strip) and disposable lancets. Blood ketone meters are considered the gold standard for testing overall nutritional ketosis and are more accurate than urine ketone testing strips and breath meters.

Breath Ketone Meters

Breath ketone meters measure the concentration of acetone in the breath, in parts per million. They do not require a blood sample, which some people may prefer. However, they can be affected by alcohol consumption and may require setup, such as downloading an app and pairing it with the device. Breath ketone meters are still being assessed for their effectiveness in testing nutritional ketosis compared to blood ketone meters.

Urine Testing Strips

Urine testing strips are designed to check for the ketone acetoacetate and are a low-tech way to test for ketosis. They are very inexpensive and easy to use, but they may not work for everyone. Urine strips were designed primarily to monitor diabetic ketones to help prevent diabetics from getting into ketoacidosis, a serious metabolic state caused by insulin deficiency. As a result, they are inaccurate in determining nutritional ketosis and how well your body is utilizing ketones as fuel. Urine strips can also be affected by your level of hydration, and the readings can be subjective when comparing the color on the strip to the color on the package.

All three methods of ketone testing can provide useful feedback, and the best method depends on individual preferences and needs. Blood ketone meters are generally considered the most accurate, but they require pricking your finger and can be more expensive due to the cost of test strips. Breath ketone meters do not require blood samples and are often priced similarly to blood ketone meters, but they may be affected by alcohol consumption and require setup. Urine testing strips are the least expensive and easiest to use, but they may not be accurate for everyone and do not provide precise measurements.

Accuracy of keto monitors

Blood ketone meters are considered the gold standard for ketone testing, as they provide more reliable and accurate results than other types of ketone analyzers, such as breathalyzers and urine testing strips.

When it comes to accuracy, it is important to note that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has only approved about half of the popular keto meters on the market. FDA approval gives users more confidence in the accuracy of their ketone readings.

To assess the accuracy of keto monitors, one can compare their readings to a commercial blood test for beta-hydroxybutyrate, a ketone that the body produces when in ketosis. This can be done by drawing blood at a clinical laboratory and then taking a ketone reading from the same blood sample using the keto monitor.

In one such comparison test, the Precision Xtra meter was found to be slightly more accurate than other popular meters, including Keto-Mojo, CareTouch, and Nova Max. However, the difference in accuracy between the meters was slight, and all four meters correctly identified whether the user was in ketosis, moderate ketosis, or out of ketosis.

In addition to accuracy, consistency is another important factor to consider when evaluating keto monitors. In the same comparison test mentioned above, the Precision Xtra and Keto-Mojo meters showed a wider difference in readings between two samples that were likely the same, especially when ketone levels were high.

When choosing a keto monitor, it is also worth considering the cost of the meter itself, as well as the ongoing cost of replacement test strips. Some meters may seem affordable initially, but the cost of replacement strips can add up over time.

Overall, while no keto monitor is perfectly accurate, those that have been approved by the FDA are generally considered to be more reliable and accurate.

Cost of keto monitors

The cost of keto monitors varies depending on the brand and features offered. Here is a breakdown of the prices of some popular keto monitors:

Keto-Mojo GK+ Glucose & Ketone Meter:

Keto-Mojo offers two purchasing options:

• Basic Starter Kit: $44.99, which includes 10 glucose test strips, 10 ketone test strips, a lancing device, 20 lancets, glucose and ketone control solutions, and a high-quality clamshell travel case.
• Promo Bundle: $90.99, which includes the same items as the Basic Starter Kit, plus 70 glucose test strips, 70 ketone test strips, and a 100-page eBook guide to the keto diet.

The cost of extra ketone test strips is $0.80 per strip.

FORA 6 Connect Blood Ketone Testing Meter Kit:

The FORA 6 Connect meter costs $59.99 and comes with 20 ketone strips. Replacement ketone strips cost slightly under $1 per piece.

Keto-Doc Advanced Ketone Blood Meter Testing Kit:

The Keto-Doc meter costs $39.95 and comes with 10 ketone test strips. Replacement strips are about $1 each.

KetoBM Ketone Blood Meter Kit:

The KetoBM meter costs $29.95 and comes with 10 ketone test strips. Replacement strips are about $1 per piece.

KetoCoach Blood Ketone Meter Kit:

The KetoCoach meter costs $49.95 and comes with 10 strips. You can buy 50 additional ketone strips for $39.95 ($0.80 per strip) on their website.

Kiss My Keto Ketone Blood Meter Kit:

The Kiss My Keto meter costs $39.99 and comes with 10 ketone strips. Extra strips cost about $1 each.

KetoTrak Blood Ketone Monitoring System:

The KetoTrak meter kit costs $33.99 and comes with 10 strips. Replacement strips cost only $0.60 each.

KetoSens Blood Ketone Monitor Kit:

The KetoSens meter costs $36.99 and includes 10 ketone strips. Replacement strips are $0.86 each.

Nova Max Plus Glucose Meter:

The Nova Max Plus meter costs $39.98 and comes with 10 ketone strips. Ketone replacement strips cost about $2 per strip.

Precision Xtra Blood Glucose and Ketone Monitoring System:

The Precision Xtra meter costs $27.50, plus $7.95 shipping. Ketone strips must be purchased separately and are $14.99 for a pack of 10 ($1.50 per strip). Glucose strips cost $15.99 for 30.

ReliOn Ketone Test Strips:

ReliOn offers 50 ketone test strips for $6.94, which equates to about $0.14 per strip.

SlimFast Keto Ketone Test Strips:

SlimFast offers 100 ketone test strips for $9.98, or about $0.10 per strip.

Best Ketone Test Dual Blood Ketone and Blood Glucose Test Meter:

This meter is priced at $49.99 as a complete value kit.

KETO-MOJO Urine Ketone Test Strips:

KETO-MOJO offers 150 urine ketone test strips with a free keto guide eBook and app for $19.37. This equates to about $0.13 per strip.

As you can see, the cost of keto monitors ranges from around $30 to $50 for the meter, with additional costs for replacement test strips. The price of test strips varies significantly depending on the brand, with some costing under $0.10 per strip, while others are closer to $2 per strip. It's important to consider the ongoing cost of replacement strips when investing in a keto monitor.

How to use a keto monitor

A keto monitor is a device that measures ketone levels in the blood, breath, or urine. It is an essential tool for people following a ketogenic diet as it helps them stay in nutritional ketosis and track their progress. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use a keto monitor:

Step 1: Prepare the Device and Test Strips

• If it is your first time using the device, unpack and set it up by inserting the batteries and familiarizing yourself with the instructions and controls.
• Prepare the test strips as per the device instructions. Some devices may require a coding chip to be installed, while others have auto-code test strips.
• If your device uses a lancet device, prepare it by removing the blue topper and inserting a lancet.

Step 2: Prepare Your Finger

• Clean your hands and the tip of your finger with an alcohol pad or wash your hands thoroughly.
• Massage your finger to ensure blood flow to the fingertip.

Step 3: Prick Your Finger and Apply Blood to the Test Strip

• Press the lancet device against your finger and release the trigger to prick your fingertip.
• Wipe away the first drop of blood and wait for a new droplet to form.
• Press the end of the test strip onto the new droplet of blood and wait for the blood to be sucked into the strip.

Step 4: Read the Results

Depending on the device, your results will appear on a digital display or change the colour of the test strip.

Step 5: Track and Monitor Your Results

• Some keto monitors have companion apps that allow you to track and monitor your ketone levels over time.
• You can also manually log your results to see your progress and identify any patterns or trigger foods.

It is important to note that keto monitors should not replace professional medical advice. If you are starting a new diet or have a medical condition, consult with a healthcare professional. Additionally, factors such as hydration levels can affect the accuracy of certain types of keto monitors.

Pros and cons of different keto monitors

There are several keto monitors available on the market, and they can be broadly categorised into three types: blood ketone meters, breath ketone meters, and urine testing strips. Blood ketone meters are considered the gold standard for ketone testing, as they provide more reliable and accurate results than the other types.

Blood Ketone Meters:

Pros:

• More reliable and accurate than breath or urine tests.
• Confirm you are correctly following a high-fat, low-carb diet.
• Help you stay in nutritional ketosis.
• Some meters can measure both blood glucose and ketone levels.
• Some meters have app integration, allowing you to track your keto progress over time.

Cons:

• May require a larger blood sample for testing.
• Can be more expensive, with the cost of replacement test strips adding up over time.
• Some meters may not have FDA approval, raising questions about their accuracy.

Breath Ketone Meters:

Pros:

Non-invasive, as they measure acetone levels in the breath.

Cons:

• May not be as accurate as blood ketone meters.
• May not be suitable for people with respiratory issues.

Urine Testing Strips:

Pros:

• Easy to use and widely available.
• Relatively inexpensive compared to blood or breath ketone meters.

Cons:

• May not be as accurate as blood ketone meters, especially for people who are well-hydrated.
• Can be messy and inconvenient, as you have to collect a urine sample.

Frequently asked questions