Ketone Blood Levels

#1

Still working out all the Keto kinks, last night I took a glucose and Ketone reading and the Ketone was 3.5 (tested it 3 times). I read that it should be kept under 3.0. Should I be concerned and if so what should I do to lower it with out bumping myself out of Ketosis? Glucose was 76. Tested again this morning and it was 86 Ketone was 1.7. Not sure what the surge was about last night either.

(Allie) #2

Levels are up and down constantly, stop stressing.

(bulkbiker) #3

I usually get far higher ketone reading at night than in the morning… they aren;t static and will vary during the day as will blood sugar readings. Unless you are a Type 1 diabetic or are on specific meds for Type 2 your ketone levels are very unlikely to be “too high” ever. I’ve been up to 7 when fasting which isn’t a problem either. The 0.5-3.0 is meant to be the most “beneficial” reading but higher isn’t worse its just higher. Don’t stress you must be doing something very right to have got there!

#4

Lol thank you guys. I read one article that said if you have a reading over 3.0 call your doctor immediately. Good to know it fluctuates so much. I’m off all but 250 mg (weaning off completely)of metformin and I don’t think that is a problem with Keto. Metformin works more in your liver function from what I understand.

#5

FWIW, I’ve had a blood ketone reading as high as 4.3 mmol/L within the last 30 days. Highest all time for me was 5.7 mmol/L. It’s been my experience that elevated ketone readings don’t last very long.

High readings are definitely the exception for me. My 7 day and 30 day averages are, respectively, 1.2 and 1.3 mmol/L.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #6

If your pancreas is secreting even a minimal amount of insulin, you don’t have to worry about diabetic ketoacidosis. Not only that, the level of serum BOHB at which ketoacidosis is above 10 mmol/dL.

Bear in mind that even the values on Volek’s and Phinney’s famous chart are rough guidelines, not exact ranges:
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(Shantanu) #7

I have been keto for nearly 16 months. I have never had ketone reading over 1.1 and usually average 0.3. If I were to randomly take a blood ketone reading, it will most likely be in the 0.3 - 0.5 range. I have learned to stop stressing about them, or to even measure ketones, much as I may love numbers. And to ignore other people’s ketone readings.

So here are some numbers that mean a lot more than ketones:
Weight loss so far: 55 lbs
Lowered A1C from 6.1 to 5.5
Lowered fasting insulin by 50%

keep calm and keto on. The ketones will be what they will be.

Cheers!