6 months Ketosis, 2 weeks Carbs, 1 month Low Carb => Nothing

(Patric) #1

Hello,

I’ve been in ketosis for 6 months, which I started after being diagnosed with (pre) Diabetes Type 2, HbA1C 6.6. After 6 months, HbA1C now is 5.3, I lost 20kg, feel good, like a younger version of myself.

I went on holidays, and conciously decided to eat carbs, as I didn’t want to deprieve myself, of some of the good stuff, and also to try being flexible.

I returned after two weeks, and went right back to Keto friendly eating, this is now 4 weeks, and I’m even better at chosing food & more strict than at the beginning of my keto journey.

Here is the issue: I’m not really getting back into ketosis, Urin Sticks were light purple for 2 days, the rest was 0, Blood ketones in the morning 0.3 - 0.5, generally.

I’ve read here, that this can happen, but the opinions seem to diverge.

Anybody in the same situation?

My optimistic assessment would be that I’m fat adapted, and ketones aren’t relevant. Yet I read a lot of people througout the years still maintain high ketone values.

I understand that if I eat low carb, I’m burning fat no matter what, but it is just weird that this second keto phase is so much different than the first one.

Thank you for reading.

(Joey) #2

Yes, presuming you are eating sufficiently low carb, you are in ketosis. This can be proven because you are alive :wink:

And yes, you are also correct that your bio markers are different now than when you first started measuring while beginning to restrict carbs. If you keep measuring constantly going forward you will eventually either (a) drive yourself nuts or (b) get bored enough at the insignificance of the data to stop.

Learn from your experiences and power on! :vulcan_salute:

(KM) #3

One thing I’d add, if you’re using the same jar of keto stix, chances are they’ve “gone bad” and are less reliable than ever. This picture is of two stix dipped in the same urine. I’d interpret the old one (open for about 2 months) at .5 or perhaps even 0, and the new one (freshly opened) closer to 4.

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(Bob M) #4

And also, blood ketones might be “low”, depending on many factors I haven’t figured out. Mine are always 0.2-0.3 in the morning. Why some people maintain high ketones, I have no idea. Haven’t figured that out yet. For me, to get my ketones into the 2+ range, I have to fast multiple days.

If you want higher ketones, you could try eating higher fat. I’m not convinced that works, but some people say it does. MCT oils will raise ketones, basically in everybody, though by how much is a question.

If you’re concerned you’re not losing weight, try different things. Higher protein; higher fat; some PSMF days (protein sparing modified fast, basically high protein, low calorie), etc. Mix it up.

(Brian) #5

I know how you feel…I’ve been doing Keto for a couple of months now. Barely any results. I have not had more than 20 grams of carbs per day for over 2 months. For whatever reason I can’t seem to get into Ketosis…I’ve done the test strips (reliable???) and had 1 good result. I tested every day. I have kept strict track of my carbs, been eating steak, bacon, eggs, any veggies have been very low carb, no potatoes or carrots just broccoli cauliflower cabbage etc. Occasionally a tomato but only half. Even then, no over 20 grams in a day. Any advice???

#6

Pee sticks are useless once you’re up and running, and you don’t lose that from eating some carbs during a vacation. If you’re not eating carbs again, you’re in ketosis. That, and your ketone levels simply don’t matter anyways, just eat right, and let it do it’s thing.

Correct! Different people are different people, you’re you. Which comes back around to the ketone numbers not mattering.

Also, if your ketones are there at all, you’re in Ketosis. If you’re referring to “nutritional” ketosis, that’s make believe anyway, literary an invented term.

(Robin) #7

Many of us never measured ketones.
I never did. I always knew I was doing everything right and everything possible. All you need now is patience. Trust the process.
You got this!

(KM) #8

For me, after 2 years of steady keto-carni diet and a decade of mostly keto eating, and assuming I’m using fresh stix, and assuming they actually measure anything, I can reliably produce 4.0 IF I am strict and mindful of what I’m eating for a few days in a row. If I’m having a glass of dry wine here and a quarter cup of blueberries there, all bets are off. Even after all this time I find them motivating. I can physically tell the difference between having ketones in my system and not, I think “having” is better for me, and I’m not above pursuing purple pee if that’s what it takes.

Does being “in ketosis” actually matter? . . . I have no idea. But that IS the premise of this forum, right?

#9

You are very true, keto is not just about measurements, it’s a process, we just need to enjoy what we are eating… in start it may be difficult for our body to accept new lifestyle and happens like food cravings, keto flu etc. But trust the process. When i was new to keto… it was disgusting… but now i am enjoying.

(Edith) #10

Then you are ketosis. It is not uncommon to have lower ketones in the morning and have them go up during the day. Have you checked your ketones in the afternoons at all?