Struggling with ketone levels

(tom) #1

Hello all, I am a 47 yo male that has been doing keto for 3 months. I also intermittent fast for 18 hours eaxh day. I have lost a total of 35 pounds so far. Recently purchased a blood ketone meter to keep track of levels. To my horror my blood ketone level was a whopping 0.6 after working out and fasting!! Am I really in ketosis or has being under 20 carbs a day been the reason for my weight loss?? Any ideas??

#2

I suspect the workout depleted your ketone levels. Perhaps test again in a few hours.

(tom) #3

I did and still 0.8…should I even worry about the levels? I mean I’m still losing pounds and peeing a lot as well as the dragon breath. Keeping my carbs under 20 and protein low to mid.

(Running from stupidity) #4

I’ve got a breathalyser for checking, but after a month I’m really not bothering with it. Am I feeling good? Am I losing weight? Yes? Awesome.

(Sheri Knauer) #5

Just ask yourself how you feel and are you getting results? It seems like the answer to both of those questions for you is yes so then I would not worry about ketone level. You are in nutritional ketosis if it is 0.5 and above. Especially after exercise, there won’t be a whole lot of ketones hanging around in your blood because you just used a bunch of energy to exercise. Also, a higher ketone level does not mean you are “more in ketosis and will therefor see better results”.
You are doing a great job so don’t let “numbers” (whether on the scale or the ketone meter) stress you out. Keep doing what your doing, keep calm and keto on!

(tom) #6

Thank you for the reply…you are correct. A number is arbitrary.

#7

NOPE! Checking ketones is great reinforcement when you’re starting out, and when your trying to troubleshoot a plateau or seeing if certain foods screw with ketosis but aside from that if everything is going alright it’s a waste of money. Once you hit 0.5 and up you’re in “nutritional” ketosis, stop caring once you hit that. Even then I can loose beneath that and many of us long time keto’rs have crap ketone levels to begin with. Lot of opinions on why but in any case don’t drive yourself nuts with them.

(Brian) #8

Tom, you sound like you’re doing great! 35 pounds in 3 months, that’s awesome! Bear in mind that the first few months are generally the steepest slope on the downward curve. It will level out over time and the descent will likely be much more gradual as you approach your weight target. All normal.

Dude, why did you waste your money on a ketone meter? Really, you’re doing great and you’ve only added something else to worry about.

Eat real food, get a little exercise, enjoy life, and keto on. No need to unnecessarily complicate the journey.

:slight_smile:

(Sue Kitchell) #9

I also spent +++ money on an Acetone Breathalyzer, (LevL) and my level is between 15.7, once and 28.9 ppm. My average is 19-26 ppm. I wish that I did not spend the money on this. It is costly and requires a bit of work and time to recalibrate every 2 weeks and change out the sensor every month and they charge a monthly fee, which is costly, I think. I also do not always understand the numbers. But I am stuck with this purchase and will make the best of it. Did you purchase the Levl? Or has anyone on this sight? I would love to hear any feedback. Thank you.
I ended up purchasing the Keto Mojo, which I love. Easy to use, very easy to understand and affordable. My blood ketone is 1.0 to 1.7 depending on how strict I am and I love that I can check my blood glucose.

(tom) #10

Thanks!! I was thinking the same thing in regards to another piece I don’t need to worry about. I have already decided to just keep doing what I have been and who cares what my blood levels are. Not gonna check anymore just let my body and the way clothes fit be my determining factor in regards to keto!! Any how I feel great and joint pain is almost nil. Whoop whoop for all my keto people!!

(Katie the Quiche Scoffing Stick Ninja ) #11

It actually sounds like you are more fat adapted than anything.
Generally our blood ketone levels drop as our body is using them effectively and there aren’t too many floating in the blood steam.

(David Brown) #12

i wouldn’t worry about it. my ketones go from 1.8 to 0.4 after anaerobic exercise. levels drop because your body is producing glucose to fuel your muscles.

(tom) #13

Thank you for replying. What exactly is fat adaption?

(Katie the Quiche Scoffing Stick Ninja ) #14

Fat adaption is when our body learns to use the ketones we have produced as fuel, therefore there are less floating around in the blood stream and excreted in the urine. This is usually the second stage in keto adaption.
At this stage you will notice you feel more energised, have more mental clarity, are less hungry and can fast for longer periods of time.