Is it possible to never get into ketosis?

#1

I am a very strong-willed person and I stay true to whatever I am involved with. I do NOT cheat on this diet, but I just got my bloodwork back from my physician which shows NO blood ketones. I am part of a Keto group on Facebook, but I can’t post anonymously, so I will do it here. Here are some facts:

Disabled Male (in wheelchair) - 49 years old. 301 lb. Was down to 293, but have gone up for some reason after beginning upper-body cardio. People say I look thinner but I don’t see it and the scale agrees.

Questions:

  1. Can medication keep you out of ketosis? I take Metformin, Levothyroxine (thyroid), water pill and two blood pressure meds, Welbutrin and Celexa (depression), Cingulair (allergies) and Ritalin. I am also in a clinical study for my bone disease and I take Interferon shots 3X a week. I have checked my blood ketones at home and found I am usually .4 or bellow. The highest I have ever reached is 1.4.

Originally, I stalled for months. Now I am gaining?!? What can I possibly do? The Facebook group I am in is VERY strict - no sweeteners (I use Monkfruit occasionally, etc). I am pretty careful. My best friend lost 30 lb in a few months. What is going on?

  1. Am I doing myself damage by eating like this and NOT getting into Ketosis? Am I just harming my heart and liver by eating a ketogenic diet with no benefits? I am at a loss as to where to go from here. Has anyone else experienced this?

Thanks!

(Jay AM) #2

What does a typical day of eating look like for you? How many carbs are you aiming to stay under? If you’re under 20g net carbs and not in ketosis, you’re dead. Not having BHB in your blood does not mean you aren’t in ketosis. It could mean you are efficiently using ketones as fuel. Or, it could mean that you’re running into hidden carbs or causing insulin spikes. I can’t specifically comment on the medication. Metformin and Cingulair shouldn’t be causing problems though. All the others you’d have to research specifically with something like, “interferon on keto” in Google search.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #3

I take Celexa, and it hasn’t interfered with weight loss. If people are telling you that you look thinner, don’t discount the possibility that you are putting on muscle mass, which is denser than fat, so you could still be losing fat even while not losing poundage.