Signs of being in ketosis without testing?

(Brian) #1

I am just wondering if there are any signs of ketosis that one can watch for that a person can see without any sort of testing? Are there things that happen physically that give clues?

I don’t have any means of testing anything. I have a simple bathroom scale. That’s pretty much my only tool.

I’ve been eating what I think is a pretty strict keto diet for about 4 days shy of one month. I’ve had a day or two when I didn’t exactly feel the greatest but never anything resembling the flu. I’ve had a couple of small oopsies but quite small ones, not within the last week or so, and less than I would have fingers for counting on one hand. I’ve been pretty good. I haven’t done anything extraordinary exercise wise, just a little walking. I’ve lost 19 pounds and feel pretty good. Brain seems pretty clear. No real issues that I can point towards except maybe a few restless nights, but even that isn’t dramatic, and getting used to new bowel habits.

One thing I have noticed several times in the last week, when I take a shower in the mornings, I kinda notice what I think might be my breath. It’s not quite the same acetone smell I’ve noticed after a hard workout (when I had my elliptical machine). But it’s still a peculiar smell. I’ve wondered if that might be a hint that I may be in ketosis.

So that got me to wondering whether that or maybe some other subtle things might be little clues of being in ketosis.

I hope I haven’t plowed right into the content of a previous thread. I didn’t see it if it’s here, though, I’ll be the first to admit, I haven’t read them all.

Glad to hear what you think if you’d care to share!

And thanks for being here to talk about something that so many people haven’t a clue about. :slight_smile: To most, it’s total deer-in-the-headlights talking about keto.

#2

The people here are the salt of the earth. (See what I did there?) I’m curious to hear responses to your question.

#3

Unless you have a really broken metabolism and need super super low carbs you are in ketosis and have been for a while. It does take a bit longer to really start running on fat as routine - what people call being fat adapted.

It drove me mad not knowing though and I had to get gadgets!

(Sjur Gjøstein Karevoll) #4

If you’re in deep ketosis you can definitely taste it on your breath (and wish you couldn’t). Before you get to that stage you can maybe smell it in your urine, but urine tends to smell funky in any case so it can be hard to tell. In either case it can be kinda hard to tell if you don’t know what taste/smell you should be looking for. Those two happen at moderate to high levels of ketosis so you might not get there even when you don’t eat carbs. Other than that you may be able to tell from the mental benefits or that you have more energy, but if weren’t tired and lethargic before there might not be a noticeable difference for you.

From my own personal experience the keto breath you get while in ketosis is not quite the same as the metallic taste you get from exercising. I’ve heard it called “fruity” which it kinda is, but it’s also a bit sickening and meaty like overripe tomatoes. When it’s bad the only word that fits is acrid, like you drank rancid fish oil out of a jerry can.

(Todd Allen) #5

I very rarely notice my keto breath. But my wife does.

(mike) #6

I have a weird symptom when I get into moderate ketosis, usually above 1.0 mmol. My tongue feels kind of fuzzy when I rub it on the surface of my mouth. See, I said it was weird. Sure sign for me. But I still have to test cause I love to see the number.

#7

For me, the most obvious physical signs are my breath and urine. I’m not sure how to describe the smell of my breath while in ketosis (although people often say ‘fruity’), but my mouth tastes vaguely salty and I find I drink even more water than my normal ridiculous amounts because of it.

As for urine, the color seems a bit more peachy than normal, and the smell is somewhat ‘tuna-like’. When I first heard that description it sounded really weird, but then one day I caught a strong whiff of tuna and it is actually pretty accurate in describing the smell.

In both cases, I think that once you experience it, you now know and can use that as a sign that you are in various levels of ketosis based on how strong these signals are. It’s just a matter of identifying it in the first place.

(MooBoom) #8

This!!! 100% agree.

#9

Getting a set up to test blood ketones is very inexpensive. Instead of speculation why not spend a few bucks and know for sure? Health isn’t something I’d speculate on when too much when the real answer is $30 away.

(Todd Allen) #10

One might get started for $30 but at $1+ for each test most aren’t going to want to do it very often. But in combination with cheap breathalyzers I think spending a few bucks spent on blood testing is super valuable to establish a target range for the breathalyzers which can be used as much as one wants.

#11

I rarely test my blood anymore, but it’s useful early on. Now when I do test I try to guess what my readings will be, I’m usually pretty close.

I’d say if someone wants to know “what being in ketosis feels like” a good place to start is doing an extended fast. Some of the subtle indicators of being in nutritional ketosis are increased to higher levels making them more obvious. For me anyway. Having nothing but water for a week really put me in tune with my body.

#12

If you’re just starting a keto diet, urine test strips will give you an indication of your status. No meter or equipment needed. Just pee on it and watch the color change. They’re available at Walmart or any pharmacy and they’re cheap, less than $10 for a box of 50.

(Brian) #13

It’s kinda funny… I started the thread a couple of months ago. Anymore, it’s not something I have a whole lot of interest in actually measuring at all. I do have some old (expired) pee strips that I may use once in a while, mostly for curiosity as to what they’ll say. It was purple yesterday.

I pretty much know by what my breath smells like whether or not I’m in ketosis, and it’s not often that I’m not. I’ve kinda gotten used to the smell of my pee and don’t pay much attention.

If I’m honest with myself, I pretty much know what I’ve eaten and I have a pretty good idea of whether it’s carb light or carb heavy. The occasional meal where I have a few baby carrots or a tiny sliver of a sugar laden dessert, I really just don’t worry about. Actually had a piece of cheesecake last night that had more sugar in it than I’ve probably had in the last month and today, from what I can tell, I’m back in ketosis. I can’t do that every day but once in a while, I’m just not gonna get too excited about. If I were T2, maybe I would. I’m not.

I guess if I thought there was an actual reason to test, test, test, and test again, I would. But the weight continues to go down, albeit slower than it did in the very beginning of going keto, and I’m feeling good. Kinda just rolling with it until there’s a reason not to.

:slight_smile:

(Jeanne Wagner) #14

Although this is an old post thank you for posting it because I am new to keto eating and this weekend I am doing my first three day fast. I don’t have any way to test yet either, i.e. I have not bought anything, and this morning I woke up with funky breath. And it is sticking with me all day. I think I might be in actual ketosis. I do not think I have been in the state before. But since someone said you can get the pee test strips for under $10 at the store I think I might just get some!

(ReNae Stueve) #15

Do your “bad breath” symptoms last for the rest of your life as you alter your eating habits and make this lifestyle change or is this symptom just during the “transition” phase.?

(KetoQ) #16

Your wife/hubby will tell you your breath smells like a dog’s ass.

(Brian) #17

This varies from person to person. Some never have much of an issue with it and others never seem to get past having an issue with it.

For me, it happened in the first few months but has not been an issue since. I will occasionally still get a bit of the keto breath when I exercise more heavily than usual or do something particularly strenuous. It’s usually quite short lived and then it’s back to normal.

(Mike W.) #18

I think a couple of you should prob go see a Dr or dentist. Keto breath is usually described as “fruity or metallic”, not a dogs ass…