Struggling with blood ketone levels


(Matthew Kitchener) #1

Hi,

I’m 31 years old. I started a Keto diet 2 weeks ago, due to some identified osteo arthritis in my right knee.

I’m no stranger to dieting, and dived right in on day one eating less than 30g carbs. I was coming from a diet where I would eat a tonne of carbs, upwards of 250-300g a day. I record pretty much all of my food intake on the ‘MyFitnessPal’ app. I lift weights 4-5 times a week, moderate intenstity, usually 10 rep range per set, and do some cardio in there too.

I weigh 84kg, I’m reasonably lean around 10-12%. I exercise intermittent fasting, fasting for 6-17 hours a day.

I eat around 3000 calories a day on average, sometimes more as I am not interested in fat loss at this stage.

My macro nutrient breakdown is generally around 75 % fat, 20 % protein 5 % carbs. I was eating about 170g of protein but have dropped it down to around 150g. Carbs are below 20g a day, and fats are high, over 200.

I eat about three times a day in my fasting window.

I have started to test my blood Ketone levels with a glucose meter, from about 1 week in up to now, my two week mark. I test towards the end of my fast, 10-11 am and haven’t exercised at that point, I train in the afternoon.

My results over the period have been 0.3, 0.2, 0.7, 0.1, 0.2.

As you can see, pretty poor. I can’t explain the low readings, or the higher reading of 0.7. I have done a lot of reading in relation to possible erroneous practices I may be doing, however can’t pin point anything.

I have consumed some alcohol on a couple of days, but mainly stick to one or two glasses of wine, or vodka with soda water. Even on days with the wine, my carbs are still under 20 or 30.

I have not cheated on my diet one day in the last 2 weeks and drink plenty of water.

I thought perhaps I may be consuming too much protein, hence the slight drop, I still want to maintain what muscle mass I have if I can.

If anyone has any insight into any problems, or if any further info is required for an answer please ask.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Matt


#2

Well, can you list everything you eat in a day? Maybe there are some hidden carbs? Double check labels and serving sizes.


(Stacy Blanchard) #3

Just my opinion-instead of worrying about blood ketones, why don’t you just focus on making your food choices as nutritionally dense as possible for at least a month. During that time read/listen to as many resources as possible. After that time then try testing again. It may just take some time for your body to get in the keto groove. Also I think it is important to really know why you want to be in ketosis.


(Katie the Quiche Scoffing Stick Ninja ) #4

Alcohol will kick you out of ketosis until your body has processed it. Upwards of 12 hours. Don’t worry about chasing ketones. Just stick to 20g of carbs and you will get there.


(Matthew Kitchener) #5

I have actually read the opposite of this from a number of sources. I’ve read alcohol will inhibit fat loss until it is metabolised, however will put you deeper into ketosis.

My reason for wanting to be in Ketosis is due to my arthritis, I need to eat a low carb diet to avoid inflammation. If I have to go low carb then I want high energy, and so want to be in Ketosis to make use of the energy and mental benefits the diet is reported to produce.


(Matthew Kitchener) #6

so, today for instance;

first meal - 12:00 - Half an avocado. 200g of beef mince (the fatty kind) 50g manchego cheese. 2 tbsp Virgin coconut oil. 1 strawberry. 60 grams kale. a scoop of greens powder (0.7g carbs, contains small amount of stevia)

Second meal will be - 60 g kale, scoop greens powder, 2 pork sausages ((2.4g carbs total) half an avocado. 2bsp coconut oil.

Post workout I will likely eat about 150 g lamb chop cooked in ghee.

Maybe another chop cooked in ghee after this, or piece of salmon with skin on.

I’m fairly certain I have all the carbs down pat.