Can't imagine why I'm not in Ketosis (Blood testing)

(Clay H) #1

I’m so very confused on why I’m not staying in Ketosis according to my blood Ketones check. I’m always between .7 and 1.3 over the last 3 days since I bought the blood meter.

I’ve been on Keto for a month now, and lost 12lbs the first week or so. Then absolutely nothing afterwards, but just maintained the same weight. I’m less than 10 carbs a day, and about 50/50 fat and protein.

I do try to do the 16 hour fast from 8pm to noon the next day, with only having coffee in the morning (sometimes with butter and MCT oil).

#2

You’ve lost 12 pounds - let the ketone levels fall where they may.

(Carl Keller) #3

Hi Clay.

It might help if you could tell us your age, weight, if you are on medications, if you are stressed and what you are eating in a normal day. Then suggestions might be easier to give.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #4

Since the definition of nutritional ketosis is serum β-hydroxybutyrate over 0.5 mmol/dL, you are in ketosis. What am I missing?

If you’d like us to troubleshoot, please provide details of what you are eating, your sex and age, your height and current weight, what your goal is, that sort of stuff. We might be able to spot something you’re overlooking.

(Clay H) #5

Hey Guys. Amazed with the quick responses. Thank you so much.

I’m 46, male, 5foot7, and currently weigh in about 207lbs. I was 219 a month ago when I started Keto, but haven’t lost any since the first week.

Here are the meals I tend to prepare:

  • I eat quite a few whole eggs with meat added (sausage, brisket, chicken, etc) that I cook myself.
  • I do a lot of grilling. Chicken wings (grilled), steaks, pork loins, etc. I only use rubs that I make myself, or use ones with very low carbs (2 carb/serving or less)
  • I eat some good cheeses, and add cheese to many of the meats (Feta, havarti, cheddar, swiss)
  • I definitely am about 50/50 fat to protein (is that a problem?)
  • I also travel a lot, and have had maybe 8 of the Slimfast Keto meal bars when I’m on the road, along with jerky (1 carb or less per serving).

I am also adding Mayo and MCT oil to many meals.

I have done the 16 hour fasts occasionally, but not regularly.

I am very confused on the ketosis numbers in the blood meter. I’ve seen some sites say it needs to be above 2.2, and others say much lower. I only presumed I was out of ketosis because of the lack of weight loss in the last 3 weeks.

My only medication are iron supplements. I am also taking some pills as supplements (Coconut oil pills and Omega 3 fish oil).

Thanks again for the support. You guys rock.

(Clay H) #6

Forgot to add a few other items.

I eat asparagus for greens mostly, but have some spinach as well.

I do drink some whiskey. Maybe 3-4 glasses a week at max.

I’ve also had a few of the Lily’s Chocolate bars (2 net carbs), but very rarely (2 total bars (4 servings) in 2 weeks).

#7

Welcome Clay, actually sounds like you’re going ok from what ya write. Some may tell ya the 50/50 Protein to Fat ratio may be a little high on the Protein side, and they may even be right? But I can tell ya, I do probably more than that most times, and haven’t had many issues loosing. (But I did have more to lose than you to start with.) … But the one thing that really stood out to me is your mention of the above. Slim-fast Keto Meal Bars and Jerky … I can’t personally say anything about the products myself, since I don’t fool with them myself. But do know some of those products can have hidden carbs. But, my actual question to them is actually when are you eating them? - Are they used for snacking, or are you consuming all 8 in a setting? Because if you are eating them spaced out, you would be spiking your insulin each time, and snacking in between meals is something one should avoid at all cost if maximum weight-loss is your goal.

If you are not, and you are actually using them to replace a meal… well, this may be ok? But again, I still don’t much about the products you’re using, so you might want to research them some just to make sure they are not causing you any issues. :slight_smile: Also look at the ingredients. This can at times be a problem too. Especially artificial sweeteners.

Good luck and stay with it. Just because you’re not seeing the numbers move on a scale, doesn’t mean things are not happening. :+1:

(Clay H) #8

Thanks Digital_Dave.

For the Slimfast Keto Bars, It was a meal replacement, and never more than one a day. According to the packaging, they have 15 Carbs (but with 9 Fiber and 2 Erythritol) which is 4 “net carbs” whatever the heck that means. I’m not eating them while at home, they were just easy for when I travel.

The jerky I chose definitely didn’t have any sugar. 1 carb total (with no subtractions). Man, some of the other brands were brutal.

So from what you guys are saying the 3 weeks with no weight loss isn’t abnormal? Just keep going with it?

For clarity, what are acceptable Ketone levels with a blood tester? Every web page seems to give a different answer. What is the lowest to actually be in ketosis, and what is ideal?

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #9

If you mean by weight, then absolutely not. In terms of how macros are calculated as percentages of total calories, equal amounts by weight work out to 31% protein and 69% fat. This is the ratio recommended by Dr. Ted Naiman for effective protein leveraging.

#10

Yeah, these can be tricky sometimes. … I believe the rule is; if Erythritol is the only Sugar Alcohol, then you can subtract that entire amount. If there are more Sugar Alcohols, subtract half. (Don’t quote me, it’s been a while since I read up on it) … As for Net-Carbs. It’s usually the Carb amount, minus the Fiber. But then the Erythritol is also separate from this as well. (Yep, can be confusing! But making you own stuff will also eliminate this as well. :wink: - And yep, scales lie! Ask anyone on here! :smile:

And yeah, you will always find at least 149 different opinions when searching stuff on-line. :smile: Just kidding, but you get what I mean. :slight_smile: … Keep rocking, or as they say KCKO.

(Keep Calm, Keto On)

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #11

Careful when calculating total or net carbs. In North America, the nutrition label includes indigestible fiber in the grams of Carbohydrate, which is fine for total counting, but to count net carbs, the fiber amount must be subtracted. In Europe, Britain, and the Commonwealth (except Canada), the Carbohydrate number already has the fiber subtracted, which is fine for net counting, but to count total carbs, the fiber amount must be added.

In all countries, the sugar and sugar alcohols are included in the Carbohydrate amount.

#12

Good point, Paul. Actually forgot about that too. - Wouldn’t it be nice if we all walked the same path, so to speak. :slight_smile:

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #13

Nah, that would make sense, and who wants that? :rofl::rofl::rofl:

(Jane) #14

Anything above 0.5 is fine. Don’t chase ketones. I can get higher readings with extended fasting but that is expected. Higher ketones does not equal faster weight loss. But is nice to have a meter to confirm you are in ketosis and not being sabotaged by hidden carbs.

Be patient - this is a LIFESTYLE change. Not a diet where you lose weight and then go back to eating carbage. This is FOR LIFE.

(Jane) #15

For the OP. I travel 90% of my job so in airports and rental cars A LOT

For overseas trips I buy a lb of Kerrygold butter, slice it and wrap it in gold foil candy wrappers and take with me. Butter will last at room temp for up to 2 weeks.

I make my own jerky and take with me. Potted meats. Pepitas. Cheese can survive w/o refrigeration for quite some time

(Clay H) #16

Thanks so much everyone. This forum has made me feel much more educated than the other sites I have read. That blood test result was driving me crazy after reading on other sites that it needed to be over 2.2.

I appreciate all your time. I’ll just keep up what I’m doing now, and enjoy the long term results.

(Jane) #17

:+1:

(Bob M) #18

I don’t think that’s true. Ted Naiman has gone to the “P:E” ratio now, but if you enter in the same amount of protein in grams as fat in grams, you get P:E of 1:1, which he apparently thinks is neutral in terms of fat gain or loss.

Dr. Naiman apparently believes you need P:E > 1:1 (that is, more protein than “energy”, though “energy” is twice as much in terms of calories than protein for 1:1) to burn fat.

There goes everyone’s macros on this board. You can’t follow Ted Naiman’s advice and eat ribeyes, for instance, and lose weight according to him. (Yet one more reason not to have macros.)

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #19

P.E. is a new one on me. The most recent Naiman video I’ve seen was his presentation at AHS 2018, I believe, in which he explicitly states that equal amounts of protein and fat by weight are ideal for protein leveraging. Guess he’s moved on. Oh, well!

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #20

Just checked out that link, and I am not going to eat whey protein and egg whites, no matter what Dr. Naiman says.