I’ve been doing keto since July and have lost 40 lbs. I bought a blood meter a couple of weeks ago and was 1.1 once, but every other time I test I am .7 which I understand means I am in ketosis, but I thought the higher (1.5 - 3.0 is optimal?) the better. I have been under 10 carbs every day for at least 4 days, and my ketones are not going up. Now reading some articles this morning I saw that if you have been fat adapted for a while, you will test at these low levels and that is totally normal. So now I don’t know which info is right. Can anyone shed some light?
Can't get my ketone level up
RobC
(Robert C)
#2
Remember the ketones in your blood are the amount you create but do not use.
Early in keto these can be high because your body kickstarts creating them but doesn’t necessarily know how to use them well.
As time goes on - your body adapts - and optimizes - creating closer to what it regularly needs.
So, the amount floating around in the blood goes down and just its existence should be taking as a sign of being in ketosis.
Regina
(Empress of the Unexpected)
#3
You will get different answers to this. Ketone levels seem to be a very individual thing. Yes, most forum members relate that their numbers tend to go down as one becomes fat-adapted. My levels are rising, but that is because I have started intermittent fasting. In my case, I have a strong family history of Alzheimer’s, so my goal is to stay at a level of “therapeutic” ketosis for periods of time. It also depends upon when you are testing - usually people’s levels are lower in the morning.
But if you have lost 40 pounds - carry on, you are doing fine. 0.7 is great.
Janie
(Jane)
#4
That is my understanding - your body is more efficient and only produces the ketones you need w/o as much wasted. Which is all you can measure.
If you do an EF you should see the numbers climb.
Regina
(Empress of the Unexpected)
#6
0.7 just waking up is good. I peak around early afternoon. Try it then! My levels drop throughout the evening, but that’s just me. You might want to check later at night.
Shortstuff
(Allie)
#7
You’re doing great, don’t let yourself get caught up chasing unimportant numbers.
islandlight
(Laurie)
#8
I started in July too. I tested consistently at 4.0 on the pee strips until I quit testing about a month ago. (I tested in the evening.) But I’m losing just a modest ~1 pound a week. I WISH I’d lost 40 pounds by now!
As others have said, don’t worry about the reading. I know you spent money on the meter and thought it would be a useful tool, but maybe you don’t really need it.
By the way, congratulations on your weight loss!
Regina
(Empress of the Unexpected)
#10
You all know me! I chase numbers to make sure I am getting the results!
juice
(Running from stupidity)
#11
But the numbers are just an artifact, the results are the results 
Regina
(Empress of the Unexpected)
#12
Yes, but, even though I have lost the weight, my BG is still higher than it should be, so testing after meals is informative. I don’t want to be a thin pre-diabetic person. And since my meter measures both, I prick once, and measure ketones and BG. There does seem to be a relationship.
JennyB23
(Jennifer Freitas)
#13
thank you everyone. I am definitely not going to complain about the weight loss - I am thrilled, although I have hit my fair share of stalls here and there - I just keep doing what I am doing. The testing is just for my nosiness/curiosity. Its just me, my personality - just like how I weigh myself daily - I know some say its not good for you, but I just have to do it. LOL.
JennyB23
(Jennifer Freitas)
#14
The left is pre-keto in June of this year and the pic on the right was 2 weeks ago. Same clothes in both pics. So definitely no complaining from me! I haven’t felt this good in…well, ever!
ava_ad0re
(Katie the Quiche Scoffing Stick Ninja )
#15
Jenny, fantastic loss so far, you are doing well.
I’ve been adapted since June, and I cannot get my ketone levels above 2.0 unless I fast for 3 days, my body only really makes what it needs.
Don’t get so caught up in that ketone blood meter, you are late to the party, it won’t really give you any decent information if you are fat adapted, they are simply not made for us, they can only tell us we are in ketosis. Don’t stress. Keep doing what you’re doing.
ctviggen
(Bob M)
#16
I’ve been low carb about 5 years, and find it difficult to get above 1.0 (blood test) unless I fast multiple days in a row (as in 3+).
Regina, as for your blood sugar being higher “than it should be”? What do you mean? Mine is often over 100 in the morning, goes up all day, then goes down all day until about midnight. This is an example, taken by a continuous glucose monitor:
You get US units by multiplying by 18. 100 = 5.6 on that chart.
ctviggen
(Bob M)
#17
Oops, I meant goes up all day until about noon, then goes down all day until about midnight. Note this includes some debauchery around Thanksgiving.