Best Time To Use Keto Strips For Accurate Results

The best time to use keto strips is in the morning or evening, preferably at the same hour every day. This is because ketone levels in the urine are highest and most reliably detectable in the early morning and post-dinner urine. Testing at the same time each day will also allow you to compare results day-to-day. It is also recommended to test while fasted, an hour or two after waking and before lunch or dinner.

Best times for testing

The best time to test for ketones in your urine is when you think you are likely to have higher-than-normal ketone levels. This can occur if you are on a low-carbohydrate diet or if you are a diabetic. Testing in the morning, an hour or two after waking and before either lunch or dinner (fasted at least two hours), is recommended. Testing at the same time of day, whether morning or evening, is also suggested to ensure consistency.

If you are testing for ketosis, it is important to test early in the morning after sleep as your body will have cleared the food taken in before night, giving more accurate results. Testing several hours after dinner late in the evening is also recommended.

The early morning and post-dinner urine tests are said to have the highest detection rates for ketosis. Testing between 10:00 and 19:00 is the least favourable period, according to one study.

If you are testing ketone levels in your blood, it is recommended to test while fasted.

Morning or evening

The best time to test for ketones in your urine is in the morning, after fasting for several hours, or several hours after your last meal of the day. Testing at the same time each day will provide the most accurate comparison.

Morning

Testing your urine in the morning is a good way to detect ketones because your body will have rested and cleared the food taken in the night before, giving accurate results.

Evening

Testing in the evening, several hours after your last meal, is also a good time to detect ketones. This is because your body will have had time to rest and clear the food taken in during the day.

Morning vs Evening

It is recommended to test at the same time of day for consistency and the best comparison. However, you can test at different times of the day to see if you get different readings. For example, you could test when you wake up, before bed, or at midday.

Other Factors

It is important to note that your hydration and eating habits can impact your test results. Therefore, it is crucial to be consistent with your testing times and be aware of any changes to your activity levels, drinking patterns, and the day's temperature and humidity within 12 hours of testing.

Testing after a cheat day

If you've had a cheat day on your keto diet, you'll need to get back into ketosis. This process takes several days to a week, depending on your carb intake, metabolism, and activity levels.

Keto urine strips are a cheap and convenient way to test your ketone levels. They react with your urine and change colour to indicate the concentration of ketones, with darker colours indicating higher levels. You can buy these strips over the counter and online, and they typically come in packs of 50 to several hundred. They usually expire within three to six months of opening.

If you're testing after a cheat day, it's best to wait a few days before using a keto strip. This will give your body time to process the excess carbs and return to ketosis. Testing too soon may result in a false negative, as your body will still be processing the carbs and won't have had time to produce ketones.

Once you're ready to test, follow these steps:

• Wash your hands.
• Pee into a small, clean container.
• Dip the absorptive end of the strip into the urine sample for a few seconds. Alternatively, pass the end of the strip through your urine stream.
• Wait for the strip to change colour. The amount of time will be outlined on the test package.
• Compare the colour to the chart on the test package.
• Dispose of the strip and wash your hands.

It's best to test your urine at a specific time of day, such as first thing in the morning or several hours after your last meal, to ensure consistent results.

Keep in mind that urine strips may not accurately reflect your ketone levels if you've been on the keto diet for several months. This is because your body adapts to using ketones for fuel more efficiently, so you may excrete fewer ketones in your urine. In this case, you may want to consider using blood keto strips, which are more accurate but also more expensive and invasive.

Testing accuracy

The accuracy of keto strips depends on several factors, including the time of day, diet, physical activity, and hydration levels. Here are some insights into achieving accurate results when using keto strips:

Testing Time

The best time to test for ketones in the urine is early in the morning, specifically a few hours after waking up and before breakfast. This is because your body has rested and cleared the food taken the night before, giving more accurate results. Testing in the morning also ensures that you are fasted, which is recommended when monitoring ketone levels. Additionally, testing urine ketones at a consistent time each day will provide the most comparable results.

Some sources suggest testing several hours after dinner or late in the evening, as ketone levels tend to be higher during these times. Testing at different times of the day, such as midday or before bed, may yield varying results, influenced by your eating habits and hydration levels.

Diet and Physical Activity

The type of diet and physical activity can impact ketone levels. After consuming a meal, especially one with a higher carbohydrate content, ketone levels may temporarily decrease for up to 3 hours. Therefore, it is recommended to test ketone levels a couple of hours after a meal. Physical activity can also influence ketone levels, as muscles rapidly consume ketones as an energy source.

Hydration

Ensuring proper hydration is crucial for accurate ketone testing. Dehydration can lead to higher ketone levels in the blood and urine. Maintaining adequate fluid intake and consistent drinking patterns within 12 hours of testing can help produce more accurate and consistent results.

Comparison with Previous Readings

Comparing ketone strip test results with previous readings is an excellent way to track progress and identify trends. This is especially useful when testing daily or weekly, as it provides a more comprehensive understanding of your body's ketone levels over time.

Limitations of Urine Ketone Strips

While urine ketone strips are convenient and easy to use, they have some limitations in terms of accuracy. Urine ketone levels do not always reflect the true ketone levels in the body. As your body adapts to a ketogenic diet and becomes more efficient at utilising ketones for fuel, fewer ketones may be excreted in the urine, resulting in lower urine ketone readings even though you are in a deeper state of ketosis. Therefore, as a long-term ketogenic dieter, you may want to consider blood ketone testing for more accurate results.

Testing for diabetic ketoacidosis

High levels of ketones in the urine may indicate diabetic ketoacidosis. Diabetic ketoacidosis can cause the blood to become acidic, leading to illness and potentially endangering organs if left untreated. Therefore, it is important for people with diabetes, especially those with type 1 diabetes, to regularly test their ketone levels.

There are two main ways to test for ketones: blood ketone testing and urine ketone testing. Blood ketone testing is considered more accurate, as urine ketone testing only reflects the level of ketones from a few hours prior. Blood glucose meters such as the Abbott Freestyle Optium Neo and Menarini GlucoMen LX Plus can test for blood ketone levels. For urine ketone testing, you can use over-the-counter or prescription ketone test strips, such as Ketostix.

• Collect a fresh urine sample in a clean container.
• Dip a ketone test strip into the urine sample.
• Wait for the number of seconds specified in the instructions. The colour of the pad on the strip will change if there are ketones in your urine.
• Compare the colour of the pad to the colour chart provided with the test strips. The results will be either negative (no ketones) or positive (ketones present), with positive results indicating a small, moderate, or high level of ketones.

It is important to note that testing urine for ketones may not always be accurate, and blood testing is generally recommended for more reliable results. Additionally, ketone test strips have expiration dates, and using expired strips can lead to false results.

Frequently asked questions