But if you’re using the keto diet for another reason, especially a medical reason like treating epilepsy or some types of cancer, some scientific perspectives suggest that higher levels are better — typically in excess of 3.0mmol/l.

The strips typically expire within three to six months after opening, so keep in mind how often you intend to use them ( 7). To get started you need the lancing device and meter, plus the keto strips. Once you are ready to get testin’, swab the testing area with water, load the lancet, and “fire” it into your finger to produce a small blood sample. Place your keto strip in the meter, apply it to the small puncture wound on your finger, and within a few seconds, the meter will give you an exact score that will help you determine if you are in ketosis or not.If you’re new to keto and are trying to determine how deep into ketosis you are, it’s best to test at the same time every day. Since your hydration level plays a role in your test results, it’s best to test at a time when your hydration will be relatively the same each day. For most people, in the morning before consuming liquids is the best time. There are two categories that Ketone strips fall in determining the accuracy of the test. Ketone test strips are used in measuring and determining the level of ketones in either the urine or blood. The test strips simply help to know how much ketones you have in your urine and blood.

It is not advisable to measure ketones immediately after exercise. Ketone levels are likely to be lower while you have higher levels of glucose, this might affect your readings. LEVL suggests that fat burning begins at 2.0 parts per million, essentially suggesting I never left the fat burning state. The only reading I ever got below 3.6 was 0.0, when I put a breath pod into the machine without exhaling into it. However, given individual variation, my feeling is that the LEVL readings, relative to one another, were quite consistent. The deeper my state of ketosis, the higher the LEVL reading. Keto strips for urine In addition to noting your ketone readings, you’ll likely notice signs and symptoms, such as fatigue, fruity smelling breath, nausea, headache, frequent urination, and digestive issues. While these indicate nutritional ketosis, they may also serve as warning signs for impending ketoacidosis — especially when diabetic individuals have high blood glucose readings. Which ketone testing gives the most accurate result? Keto Test Kits come a number of methods and types. The most used is the ketone strip, a paper strip with a pad at the end. The tip is dipped into urine to indicate if ketones are in the urine as well as the level of ketones in the urine. Note: mmol/L stands for millimoles per liter, and it refers to the concentration of ketones in a specific amount of liquid — in this case, your urine.Nonetheless, using urine strips when you’re just starting a keto diet is an easy and affordable way to see if your ketone levels are rising. Breath Testing: Breath testing measures the level of acetone, a byproduct of ketosis, in the breath. A handheld breath meter is used for this method. It is a non-invasive and convenient way of testing ketosis, but can be less accurate than blood testing. Ketoacidosis is a dangerous level of ketosis that results from underlying metabolic dysfunction and requires medical attention. To learn more, read through our guide to ketoacidosis.