5 Things to Know About Keto Test Strips
1. Ketone Test Strips are used to measure ketone levels in the body through urine.
2. Ketone Test Strips measure a different ketone (Acetoacetate) compared to blood ketone testing (Beta-Hydroxybutyrate).
3. Ketone Test Strips can be a great indication of whether or not you are on the right track with your Keto diet at the beginning.
4. Your hydration levels can impact your ketone testing results. For consistency, it’s best to test in the morning before drinking liquids.
5. Ketone Test Strips are cheaper and less invasive compared to blood ketone testing.
Keto Test Strips
When you are in a state of ketosis, your body switches from depending on carbohydrates for energy to burning fats for fuel. When the body metabolizes fat, it generates molecules called ketones. Ketone testing strips are used to measure the levels of these ketone bodies in our urine, making them a quick way to know if you’re in ketosis.
How to Use Keto Test Strips
Pee on the urine strip, tap any excess urine off, then wait 45-60 seconds to see if there are detectable ketone levels in your urine. Compare the color of the testing patch on your stick to the gradient on the package to see if you’re in ketosis.
Keto Strips help you discover what kicks you out of ketosis and how long it takes to get back into it, so you can perfect your ketogenic lifestyle and see the results you’re looking for.
Note: If you’ve been fat-adapted for a while, you may not secrete ketones and these strips may show a low amount. Not to worry!
How Often Should I Test My Ketones?
There aren’t any hard and fast rules, but a couple of guidelines are:
- At least once daily, if you are transitioning into ketosis.
- Anytime you want to know if you are in ketosis or not.
When Should I Test My Ketones?
You should test:
- In the morning before drinking any other liquids. This will help you test at a similar hydration level over the course of time.
- Anytime you are curious if you are in ketosis or not (eg. an hour or two after a questionable meal, an hour or two after exercise, or first thing in the morning).
Why Test Strips?
There are three main ways to test the level of ketones in your body: breath analyzers, blood meters, and urine strips.
Breath analyzers measure the levels of acetate in your breath. While not directly responsible for ketone metabolism, acetate has been shown to correlate very closely to levels of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB, the most abundant ketone). But while the device has the benefit of being reusable, it’s also unfortunately one of the least accurate ways of measuring your ketones.
Blood meter testing measures the levels of BHB in your body. The testing process looks similar to the devices you see diabetics use — a quick prick of the finger, and then the machine analyzes the level of ketones in your blood. This is by far the most accurate test, but also one of the most expensive, and not very suitable for those with an aversion to needles.
For beginners, we recommend urine strips, as they’re the cheapest and easiest to use.
Once you become truly fat-adapted, the amount of excess ketones in your urine will decrease, so you may have to upgrade to a different testing method — or you’ll just know your body and how it feels in ketosis that you won’t have to test at all!
More Information on Testing Your Ketones
How to Know if You’re in Ketosis: A Guide to Testing Ketone Levels