Acidic urine and signs of metabolic acidosis on ketogenic diet - help!

#1

Not sure which section this should go in so posting where I hope I’ll get some advice.
Haven’t been feeling so great recently so went to a doctor today - lots of bloods taken, including HbA1C, U&Es, and various micronutrients, so hopefully covering all bases. One thing they noticed was that my urine was quite acidic and a small amount of ketones were present. I take that as a sign I’m in ketosis, but is the acidic urine to be expected too? They mentioned some of my other symptoms fit with being in metabolic acidosis, which I think the U&Es will test for (and diabetes too which could cause the acidosis but will hopefully be ruled out with the blood tests). Is this to be expected on a ketogenic diet? I though a lot of people here say that metabolic acidosis from a ketogenic diet is a myth?

(Bunny) #2

May want to get the keto urine sticks!

As long as your not anywhere near the high end and the ketones are low, you should be fine!

image

(Allie) #3

Mine always registers acidic. It’s blood acidity that matters not urine.

(Karen) #4

True but the urine might be concentrated. Try drinking some more water

#5

Hi Karen, can dehydration cause acidic urine then? I was definitely dehydrated when I gave the sample as my mouth was very dry and I felt lightheaded, but I’m ridiculously thirsty all the time and drank four cups of water at the doctor’s alone, so I shouldn’t have been and I don’t think I can manage any more water without being sick! Hopefully my electrolytes are just a bit out of whack and I can take a supplement to correct things. I know people tend to get a bit dehydrated at first due to less insulin in the bloodstream, but does it correct itself normally over time? Thanks.

#6

Being ridiculously thirsty all the time could be a sign of diabetes, especially if you are urinating frequently as well. Not sure how long you’ve been keto, but I think it’s great that you are getting tested :+1:

(Karen) #7

Urine is acidic. Concentrated urine is more so.

#8

I want to reiterate that the thirst makes this sound like the beetus. It’s a classic symptom.

#9

/how long have you been eating keto? Were you diabetic before?

#10

Isn’t this chart for blood ketones, not urine?

(Bunny) #11

Chart is for both urine and blood!

Urine sticks will show what’s not being used or free floating ketones being excreted through the kidneys.

Urinalysis sticks will no longer register ketones in the urine once the body is fully absorbing (fat-adapted/keto-adapted) the ketones, and that is why you then need a blood ketone meter to detect ketones in the blood (chart above in previous post)!

The sticks just let you know ketones are present; not a precise measurement like that on the chart!

E.g. deep purple/brown on urinalysis stick (high end of chart: ketoacidosis?) and you are not following a ketogenic diet or even trying to be in ketosis then that would be cause for alarm and would likely mean your diabetic?

These type (diabetic strips) of urinalysis strips also measure glucose in the urine:
image

Not sure what Fergie was referencing; uric acid vs. ketoacidosis?

Dr. Berg talks about uric acid. Uric acid can build up with:

  1. High fructose corn syrup (HFCS)
  2. Sugar
  3. Kidney dysfunction
  4. Fasting
  5. Ketosis
  6. Diuretics
  7. Excessive protein

The remedy for high levels of uric acid is potassium citrate, which will neutralize this acid. You can get it from vegetables or a supplement.

DEATH to the automated spell/grammar/sentence checker (makes bunny angry)!

(Karen) #12

I bought lamb on sale. I’ve been eating it all week. Yowza, my gout kicked in!
Purines, and uric acid. Not too much lamb in the future for me.
K