Trace Ketones in Urine

You can trace ketones in urine with special test stripes. When your body starts burning fat instead of sugar for energy, it will produce ketones which end up in blood and urine.

You can have small amounts of ketones even without a keto diet. However high ketone amounts can result in serious illness, that’s why it’s very important to monitor those once you start the diet.

Right ketone levels will show you reached a state of ketosis and your diet is successful and at the same time you can check that ratio is not too high to prevent possible health complications.

Ketones and Diabetes

People with diabetes test for ketones in urine frequently. High ketone levels + diabetes means the body is not receiving enough insulin to transfer sugar to energy. It can potentially lead to high blood sugar and hyperglycemia. Other risks connected to combination of both diabetes and high levels of ketone include: stroke, heart and vision problems.

Reasons of High Ketones Urine Levels

Apart from keto or any other low carb diet, high ketone levels in urine can be also caused by one of these factors:

• Diarrea
• Vomiting
• Pregnancy
• Infection
• Pneumonia
• Alcohol abuse

How to Use Ketone Urine Strips

1. Use instructions on the box. You would need to saturate the strip end in the urine. Collect urine in a clean container. Check instructions if there are any specific times of the day when the test has to be performed
2. Wait for amount of time indicated in instructions – usually it is around 15 seconds
3. Compare the strip’s color to color table on the box to establish ketones level

 Ketone Urine Levels Chart

• < than 20 mg/dL – small ketones level
• 30 – 40 mg/dL – moderate ketones level
• > 80 mg/dL – large ketone levels

Buy Trace Ketones in Urine Strips Online

You can buy ketone urine strips both in drugstores and online.

1. Nurse Hatty Ketone Strips

• 100 strips
• 6 ketone color levels
• Affordable and convenient

Buy Nurse Hatty Ketone Urine Strips

2. Invbio Ketone Strips

• 100 strips
• 13 color levels
• Good quality and accuracy

     Buy Invbio Ketone Urine Strips

3. FinaFlex Ketone Strips

• Monitor ketones first thing in the morning, after meals and before bedtime
• 100 strips
• 6 ketone levels

Buy FinaFlex Ketone Urine Strips

What Ketone Urine Levels Indicate Ketosis?

Start of ketosis is 0.5 to 1.5 mmol/l. The best ketone urine levels for weight loss are 1.5 to 3.0 mmol/l.

Pros and Cons of Trace Ketones in Urine

Pros	Cons
Cheaper price, affordability	Absence of concrete numbers
Conveniency, can be done at home	External factors can affect results
Non invasive	Exogenous ketones (supplements) will not show in urine test

When and How to Test Ketones in Urine

You can test ketones in urine any time of the day. But best to keep the same time for better results comparison. Example: every day first thing in the morning, every day after lunch or every day before bedtime.

Usually ketones are higher in the morning after night’s fasting.

Once you open a ketone urine strips box it is best to use them within 3 months. Check instructions but the majority of brands indicate that after 3-6 months the strips are no longer valid once opened.

You can also have ketones in urine if you follow a non-keto but low carb diet. Urine ketones are a sign of the body’s adaptation to starvation. However, pay particular attention if you have diabetes or prediabetes. In both cases you need to speak with a doctor before starting keto or any other diet.

If you need more precise and accurate results of ketone levels you can try a blood test. Though this method is invasive and not suitable for everyone.