Starvation Ketosis reading 3.3 mmol

(Mark H) #1

My wife just did a ketone test - she is doing a LCHF keto diet to help address adrenal/thyroid issues and we are in week six - all is wonderful and going well and we thought we would do a test using our meter. Her reading seems a little high, placing it outside the normal range for nutritional ketosis. What are likely factors in this and is there any cause for concern? She is generally eating OK but not a tremendous amount - eating what she feels she needs to and her weight is stable at around the right level.

TIA, Mark

(Ken Early) #2

Does she feel fine? I’m guessing since you said meter, you are testing via blood? Are you testing blood glucose as well? Was this after a fast? Do you have other readings? Is there a trend? 3+ is considered ‘deep’ ketosis. I do not think there is a reason for concern.

(Ethan) #3

Don’t worry about the ketone level. I assume this is by blood test? As long as the reading is above 0.5 and she isn’t a type-1 diabetic, there is no issue, and she is in ketosis. The readings will be higher at the beginning stages of the diet. As time goes on, your body gets more adjusted to using the ketones, and the readings will be lower–even below 0.5 for some people, such as @richard.

I have noticed that each time I fast, my ketones take longer to go up a ton also. I am 96 hours into a 120-hour fast now. My ketone levels yesterday (at hour 72) was 2.0. The first time I did a 72-hour fast, it was above 5.0 at hour 72. Today, at hour 96, it is 4.8! I bet that the next time I go 4 days, it will be 2.0 this far in.

The body adapts. She feels fine, and she is fine.

(VLC.MD) #4

excellent.
Keep it going !

(Mark H) #5

Thanks all - that’s very reassuring :slight_smile: