Ketone Reading Fluctuating

(Dan Cantrell) #1

At different times in the last 3 days, my ketamine reading was 2.0 -2,5, dropping to .5 yesterday, and .2 this morning. Diet has not changed, I’m staying totally away from carbs. Am I coming out of ketosis?
Thanks for your responses.

(Bob M) #2

Is this a blood ketone reading? Or a urine ketone reading?

Urine fluctuates a lot, such as if you’re dehydrated or drank a lot.

And even blood ketones can vary from day to day. And aren’t really that accurate anyway.

#3

Your ketone levels don’t matter, and they’re in constant flux at all times. Don’t worry about things that don’t matter.

(Dan Cantrell) #4

Blood sample. I had just eaten eggs, ham and cheese a few hours earlier. My blood sugar was elevated from a normal >90 to >120. That is a big drop in a few days

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #5

The question is how long you’ve been on a ketogenic diet. Higher levels are generally seen at first, but then as the skeletal muscles switch from ketones to fatty acids, the liver cuts back on production and matches it more closely to need.

Also, since the error ranges on the two readings on your home glucometer overlap, they could easily be the same actual value.

(Dan Cantrell) #6

Thanks

(Megan) #7

Hi Dan, welcome to the forum!

Like ifod said, ketones readings flux throughout the day. Also, the purpose of eating ketogenically is not to produce a lot of measurable ketones, it’s to do things like heal our metabolism, reduce inflammation and normalize weight. A lot of websites, facebook groups, influencers put far too much emphasis on ketone readings. I got caught up in the ketone hype when I 1st started. It stressed me no end b/c mine were almost never over 0.2 and it wasted a lot of money. Now I just look at other things to monitor my progress - like weight loss, body measurement, pain levels caused by inflammation, energy level and mood, and blood work when I have it done - especially fasting glucose, HbA1C and inflammatory markers.

(Bob M) #8

My new Keto Mojo gives my GKI, and let’s just say that I’m never in ketosis by that measure. In fact, I’d like to turn that feature off.

Also, if you’re testing in the morning, your blood sugar might go up no matter what you do (though eating can lower it, for some). And if you’re using pin-prick meters, those things have so much error, that they’re more for gross measurements. The error is plus or minus 15%, so if you have a blood glucose of 100, anywhere between 85 and 115 is assumed to be a valid reading.

(Dan Cantrell) #9

Thanks everyone. I’ve been going really strong on avoiding carbs since the Monday before Thanksgiving. Weight loss is almost 30 lbs.
I’m doing my best to insure I stay in ketosis for at least 6 months. My weight loss goal is 70 lbs or so from 293 to 220 or less.
I have continual Afib. About two weeks ago I went back into sinus rhythm for 6 days, with very few Afib. Now I’m back in Afib.:cry: The only change I can attribute the change was diet. Medication daily living etc, did not change. I will be 70 in a couple of weeks.
Again I want to thank you all for your advice and encouragement!

(Robin) #10

That’s a lot of weight loss in a short time.
How is your caloric intake? Please don’t limit calories, just limit carbs, especially in the beginning.

(Robin) #11

Also… don’t mess around with AFib… see your doc.

(Greta) #12

Hi Dan - great work on the weight loss! I’m guessing that the improvement you saw was due to you taking control and improving your health with diet and losing weight! I hope you see that break from afib again!

How are you feeling? Any fatigue with it?

Have you had a sleep study for sleep apnea? My late husband’s cardiologist said that the heart needs the lungs to inflate well during sleep for the support to “beat against”.

Did they tell you to drink less or avoid coffee?

Hoping for the best for you-

(Dan Cantrell) #13

I’m eating well, not being shy. I’ve made pemmican and munch on it, as well as bacon, sausage, eggs, avocados, etc
I’ve been under a docs care for a couple of year for the Afib.
The loss of weight has minimized sleep apnea. I sleep like a log until the back starts hurting or I have to make a rest room call. I actually feel pretty good considering the arthritis and Afib.
I was lifting weights regularly until Covid hit and I’ve been out of the gym for almost 3 years. Quitting the lifting was a bad thing to do but it was the smartest thing to with yo-yoes in the gym. It was for seniors and most of them would tie up a weight lifting station for 30 minutes for 3 sets of 5 lifts with no weight added on the station. A 45 minute workout would take 2 hours because of those yo-ups and the gym was loaded with them.
I’ll probably never regain the muscle mass I lost because of the fear of Covid but the weight loss will ease the arthritis in place of the strength building.