Question about Urine Test and Fat Adaptation

[ssablich]

I know, I know… the blood meters are by far the best way of measuring ketone levels. Buuuuut I’m not in a financial position to make that happen right now. So, I’ve been using the urine strips, and I’ve had between a “small” and “moderate” reading since I went strictly keto on February 17. Today is my 27th day of keto, and I totally understand that I’m not fat adapted yet.

I’ve got two questions:

1. Is it dangerous to be in ketosis while not fat adapted? My mom used to use these sticks for her Type II Diabetes and talked about how hard it can be on your kidneys. I know this is a goofy question, but I’m curious about what it means for my body that I’m “spilling” keytones into my urine.

2. How will I know that I AM fat adapted, when it happens? I’ve heard about 8 weeks for many people, so fingers crossed I’m about halfway there… but I already feel amazing.

Thanks!

[Michel_Labelle]

1 - Ketone levels dangerous - ONLY if you are a TYPE 1 diabetic.

I’ve citing this video a lot today, but it will help you understand.

Just getting Started / Optimum Ketone level

Thomas does a great job of explaining how to get to an optimum Ketone level. This is a point that comes up a lot with people just starting and wondering if they are in Ketosis, so everyone is encouraged to please give this a listen. He gives good advice find if your ketone levels are low/high or if you are having trouble adjusting. https://youtu.be/2UnLgXCpCEg In summary, UP YOUR FAT ratio, and understand when and how you measure your ketones have a huge effect on number you will see. For t…

2 - Fat Adapted - You will know… hard to describe, but one day you will wake up from the best sleep in your life, without pain, with mental clarity or SOMETHING where you go - WOW… what is going on.

[ssablich]

Thank you for this link! I’ve yet to delve into the podcast and video keto cult, so I appreciate your response!

[LeCheffre]

You’re in ketosis or you’re not. There’s no deep ketosis.

[Alpha]

To me the question is

Do I benefit from Keto or not.?

Are their side effects to the keto?

Have I weight the pluses and negatives if any

I do not know if turning the topic into exact perfect since is possible with meters and such.

For instance, After being in the keto diet for 8 weeks I stopped taking diabeties medicine.

No more foggy brain

I lost 8 kilos

So what if I find that I am not in reasonable ketone level?

Should I quit the diet because the meter is not reading the desired value.

It is what you benefit and how you feel is more accurate than the device.

I may harm myself insisting on a ketone level and ignoring my feelings

[ssablich]

I don’t think I ever said “deep ketosis,” or even implied it. Can you help me understand what you’re responding to here?

[ssablich]

Congrats to you on all of your accomplishments! I feel great too, and I’m not looking for a particular number- like I said, I don’t have a more accurate way of measuring right now, and I don’t think I need one. My questions were just basic, about ketoacidosis (which is dangerous and not just for Type I diabetics, but I believe this has more to do with glucose levels than ketone production) and fat adaptation.

From my understanding, the urine strips may not show as high a level once I am fat adapted; many people report that they basically become useless at that point. I was just curious about what that means. I’m sticking with this regardless- I feel better and know that it is right for me. I just like understanding the process happening “behind the curtain,” as it were

[Robert_Johnson]

I think what @LeCheffre was saying is you are either in Ketosis or your not. The ketones are byproducts of fat burning (please correct me here if I’m wrong, this does make a big difference).

In my opinion, what ‘adapted’ means is that your body is more resilient. Or less likely to fall out of Ketosis easily at the first carb that wiggles its way through. Or, gets back into Ketosis right away after burning sugar again, in a matter of hours or just a few days as opposed to a few weeks.

[Alpha]

Thanks Stephanie

Sorry If I made sound like the ketone measuring device is no value. It must be usfull for the people who say they got benefits from using it.

I am trying to place emphasis on the general health improvment regardless of the mechanism of how it works.

Best regards

[LeCheffre]

Ketosis is like pregnancy.
You’re in. Or you are not.

The depth of color on the pee strip doesn’t matter. The presence of color on the pee strip is all that matters. The color measures the concentration of ketones in the urine. Given that there are multiple pathways for ketones to leave your body and that the concentration in urine varies with your hydration level as well as the amount of ketones you’re releasing, it’s a common error for newbies to worry about the saturation of color on their pee sticks.

FWIW: I haven’t peed on one of those since 2006. I can smell the ketones in my sweat and on my breath.

[ssablich]

Thanks for the clarifications, friends! I think I was mistakenly assuming that the color matters, at least subconsciously. I didn’t realize that it can vary with hydration, etc. I appreciate all the help.