Ketones always high

(Victoria Trull) #1

I started keto and for the first couple weeks I did well- trying to keep carbs under 25g. After a few days I checked my ketones with some ketone sticks and it is consistently over 8.0. I’ve read that’s over double what it should be. When the purple color got deeper and close to the 16.0 indication, I pulled back with the diet and got kicked out of ketosis.

I’m trying to start again but wondering if increasing my carbs above 20g so that I’m around 3.0 is okay. I’m 5’10 and about 275lbs. Any advice is appreciated.

(Chris) #2

If you’re still peeing out ketones you’re not fat adapted yet…someone else should weigh in on the readings themselves but personally I don’t think you have a problem here other than still being under the control of carbs.

(Norma Laming) #3

The other thing is how much liquid you are drinking? Because sometimes you can get a concentration of ketones simply from not drinking enough.

(Victoria Trull) #4

I was drinking more water than I had before going keto, but I don’t know if by going keto, my body requires more

#5

Pee sticks are super unreliable and only one method of measuring. All you are doing is measuring what is being excreted via urine, not what is being used. As you progress, your body becomes more efficient at using ketones and you likely stop peeing them out - or at least way less of them! Darker colour on the pee strips can indicate dehydration and the best way to tell is to look at the colour of your pee. If it is dark in colour then you are dehydrated - drink more! If it is very pale yellow then you are cool as you are. Personally, I wouldn’t put too much stock in pee strips.

(Victoria Trull) #6

Thanks! Good to know. I was feeling really good physically before I started freaking out about those sticks.

#7

Well that is great. Throw 'em in the bin! x

(MooBoom) #8

I wholeheartedly agree with @Daisy , pee sticks are not a great tool. I use a blood meter and it’s very accurate and helpful. Mine is the freestyle optium neo.

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(VLC.MD) #9

If you are dehydrated, your urine gets darker … so colour of your urine is a good indicator of hydration.

I wouldn’t think ketones make your urine significantly darker than it would be without them.

Is it urea that makes your urine darker ? (Just guessing).

#10

darker urine is simply more concentrated urine - unless you have some condition that is colouring it with blood etc.

(Norma Laming) #11

Don’t throw the keyo sticks in the bin!

They are useful and I strongly suggest that you listen to this podcast with Dominic D’Agostino. If you know about ketosis then you will know that he really does know what he’s talking about, to an extent of knowledge that most people here do not posses.

If you listen, he explains why keto sticks are useful and a whole lot more besides.