Urine test strip results in between colors

(Empress of the Unexpected) #1

I’ve noticed on several occasions that the results seem to be in between two colors on the bottle. Is this normal? Sometimes the strips match the colors on the bottle exactly and sometimes I really can’t decide which reading I’m getting.

(Ron) #2

Don’t overthink this. the color is a visual to associate with an approximate level. the amount you expel could be any variable displayed or in between.:ok_hand:

(Empress of the Unexpected) #3

Thanks. That’s what I thought. Could be wishful thinking as I have only hit definite light pink three times in six weeks. But if trace is adequate, I’m happy.

(Ron) #4

I trace on sticks and blood meter reads 1.6 so don’t worry. As many will tell you, stick are unreliable.:wink:

(Empress of the Unexpected) #5

I know. I’ll probably break down and buy the blood tester.

(Empress of the Unexpected) #6

I’m just envious of all the purple people out there🤣

(Ron) #7

Once you are adapted you probably wont even test anymore. The strips are useful just to tell you your still making ketones for peace of mind.

(Ron) #8

If you are T2d you might never see dark colors. So many things come into play.

(Empress of the Unexpected) #9

I’m not T2D. But that’s interesting.

#10

I’ve never seen purple either, always had trace or small. But when I got my blood glucose/ketone meter a few days ago and tested, my blood ketones were 2.3. So I stopped using the urine strips.

(Banting & Yudkin & Atkins & Eadeses & Cordain & Taubes & Volek & Naiman & Bikman ) #11

If it’s colored, you’re fine.

Beyond that, urine strips are useless.

(Jay AM) #12

Here’s why urine strips aren’t very useful. In the beginning, you might show really dark on the urine strip level and think you’re just super amazing at this keto thing. But, that’s not what it’s showing. What they do show is how amazing you are at peeing out ketones instead of using them. We want them inside at the correct levels, not flushed down the toilet.

(Empress of the Unexpected) #13

I just learned something interesting from another thread. Ketone levels go down after eating. And go up during fasting. At least that is what one member said. My last meal is usually around two in the afternoon, and I have been testing shortly afterwards. If the above is true I think I will wait a few hours and test before bed, to see what the results are. My carbs are under 20, yet on numerous occasions I have heard members say that nuts, berries, avocados can kick them out of ketosis. I was not sure if this was because they exceeded their carbs for the day, or if it had something to do with their particular reaction to the food. Can’t afford the blood meter right now. Not sure if the breathalyzer is really the way to go. I just want some concrete evidence that I am on the right track. Though hunger is down, and I have lost weight. Still…I like concrete evidence. Silly, I know, but that’s just me.

(Empress of the Unexpected) #14

But I got nothing at the beginning. That’s what has always worried me.

(Jay AM) #15

Urine strips were made to test diabetics who definitely weren’t purposely doing keto to see if they had excess ketones which could mean a danger of ketoacidosis. I don’t know who originally decided they were good for people actually trying to live a LCHF diet.

Here’s how you know for sure you are in ketosis without a doubt. Eat 20g of carbs or less. Yes, it’s that simple. Because, if you aren’t in ketosis at 20g of carbs or less, you are dead. Since you aren’t dead, you’re in ketosis. Not everyone’s body wastes ketones, especially if someone is for some reason restricting fat and calories on purpose. Everything depends on the background of the person. This is why so many of us tell people not to chase numbers. A blood ketone meter doesn’t tell you that you are in ketosis, neither does a breath meter, or urine strips. A blood ketone meter measures potential energy from BHB that’s available, it doesn’t say anything about using it. A breath meter measures breath acetone but, it can be set off by methane from higher carbs, alcohol, mouthwash with alcohol, and requires some effort to get right. And, we’ve already covered urine strips.

People like testing numbers because it feels like control but, the numbers don’t do anything but control how you feel about the effort you are putting in. They provide very little actionable information. The only testing I even recommend is blood glucose. It’s an accurate and useful way to make sure your glucose isn’t skyrocketing (which can happen with sweeteners, sickness, allergies) and also a good way to make sure your glucose isn’t dipping too low from a too high amount of insulin. Later it can be used to test carb tolerance better if one wants to go above 20g of carbs. Beyond any of that, making sure one is eating keto correctly and just living generally keto is the best indication of being in ketosis.

(Troy Anthony) #16

It’s not silly, testing is a lot of fun and will allow you to customize your eating within the basic keto framework. As said before but I think it’s worth reiterating because it’s important, the keto strips are nice in the beginning because they let you know that you are on the right track with actually creating ketones. You might get big numbers but you aren’t using ketones for energy at that point. Your body is creating them as it uses up glycogen, but getting rid of most of the ketones. After you become adapted you might test super low on the strips, but that just means you aren’t excreting them. If you love testing then I would opt to save up for the blood meter. Keto mojo is $60 but the strips are still pretty pricey if you like to test a lot.

(Troy Anthony) #17

Yes I agree, I used glucose testing with my mojo while testing certain foods then ketone strips. Ketones will show up in your blood test though and as inaccurate as it all is, the ketones in your blood are most accurate.

(Jay AM) #18

Accurate for what exactly? I’d argue one of the more accurate tests is actually breath. Acetone is released spontaneously when ketones are converted and used for energy. Acetone is one of the end products of actually using internal ketones. The problem is, people struggle to use the device perfectly every time and so get too low (usually the problem) readings. Also, they test out of context (testing after carb binging and getting high readings). Don’t rinse their mouths, use mouthwash, have alcohol prior. So, while BrAce (breath acetone) is a great indication of both being in ketosis and effectively using ketones, I can’t recommend it to anyone because people aren’t perfect (and don’t read fine print and manuals) and the devices can be frustrating in multiple ways. It’s also just another number to chase that means little unless one is aiming for very specific levels for medical ketosis for things like seizures, cancer, etc.

(Empress of the Unexpected) #19

What do you mean people struggle to use the device perfectly every time?

(Troy Anthony) #20

Perhaps you could educate me on this, but I would think since energy, ketones or glucose, is being transferred throughout the body by the blood, then you will find both in the blood. If your body is utilizing ketones as it’s primary energy source, it will be found in the blood. In my own experience, the deeper state of ketosis I get in, either through fasting or restricting my carbs even more then usual without fasting, my blood ketones always go up. Not so with urine strips for reasons already stated. Can’t say I know enough about the breath test but the experts in the field I have been exposed to typically recommend blood testing, and yes many say don’t worry about testing at all.