Blood Ketone level are inconsistent - high to zero

#1

For about one month we have been in Keto diet and everything goes okay but our Ketone level has been inconsistent. What is odd is my wife level dropped from 2.8 to LO. Is that normal?
Some of the dates she measure (average daily)
1/16/19 - LO
1/21/19 - 4.4
1/23/19 - 1.7
1/30/19 - 2.6
2/04/19 - 2.2
2/06/19 - 3.1
2/07/19 - 2.8 (afternoon level was LO too)
2/08/19 - LO

Mine is:
1/16/19 - 0.3
1/21/19 - 3.3
1/23/19 - 2.4
2/03/19 - 3.5
2/04/19 - 3.3
2/05/19 - 3.5
2/06/19 - 3.2
2/07/19 - 3.8
2/08/19 - 2.6

Any feedback on this blood level up and down
thanks

(Kyle Kerstiens) #2

Maybe recalibrate your blood ketone machine? If you both are having swings it could be the monitor.

It could be something you are eating. Track everything and see what is happening on low days. Even keto things like stevia can throw people out of ketosis so it could be something you are eating too.

It could also be time of day. It is normal to have swings over the day so are you checking at the same time every day? Look up dawn effect. Mornings tend to be low readings for everyone and it ramps up during the day

#3

thanks - very much we eat the same kind of food in everyday basis. I will check the blood ketone machine (we are using Keto-Mojo meter). We measure twice a day - AM (before we consume anything) and PM (Before dinner) and usually the PM measurement is high which is expected.

(Robert C) #4

Your’s looks pretty level so I don’t think any recalibration is necessary but, I do second @Kkerstiens “track everything” advice. I am still regularly amazed at how some things affect some people - even to the point of specific brands of coffee pushing up someone’s blood glucose.

Not only what you eat, but when you eat and when you exercise. There may be a correspondence between a snack or skipping a snack in the afternoon near the measuring time as well as a workout day vs. non workout day.

(Bob M) #5

I’ve found the Keto-Mojo to not be the most accurate device. Here are some tests using two Keto-Mojos and my notes (I have two devices, one at work, one at home, and I took both to work this day):

KetoneTests
KetoneTests.JPG1118Ă—135 41.7 KB

(Bob M) #6

My ketones were anywhere between 0.7 and 1.7. I also tested using blood from different fingers (in case there’s some issue with blood exposed to atmosphere too long) and got some similar results. I can’t find that one, though, but I know it’s in my spreadsheet.

By the way, the left column (to the right of the time) is for my “home” meter and the right column is for my “work” meter, though it shouldn’t matter.

(Allie) #7

It’s normal. Levels are up and down all the time so focus on how you feel rather than chasing numbers.

(Carl Keller) #8

Generally ketones are low after waking up since we don’t require a lot of energy production when we sleep. Also they tend to be lower after meals and working out but higher between meals. The whole process is demand regulated.

Here’s an interesting artiicle where the author tests his blood ketones at various times of the day and after various activities.

(Karen Thompson) #9

I’m fairly new to all of this,. Is there any advantage of having blood ketones of 3 vs 2? I thought that as long as you were above 1, you were in ketosis. period.

(Carl Keller) #10

The ketone amounts in your blood is determined by your body’s need for energy. The numbers will go up and down througout the day as your liver increases and lowers production according to demand.

(Cancer Fighting Ketovore :)) #11

It depends on your reason for being in ketosis. I’m in it for thereputic reasons, so I’m aiming for 3-5, with 4+ being ideal (depending on my glucose)

(Starr) #12

As long as you are eating the appropriate foods, it is not necessary to test ketones.

#13

thank you all for your feedback. It is expected going up and down but being LO was a glitch for me. However, the next day in the afternoon it came up from LO to 4.5.

(Bob M) #14

I’m pretty much below 1 unless I eat tons of fat or fast for a long time.

(Karen Thompson) #15

Good point. I was only thinking of weight loss.