{"id":3178,"date":"2022-02-10T16:48:28","date_gmt":"2022-02-10T16:48:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.go-keto.com\/?page_id=3178"},"modified":"2025-02-22T13:37:34","modified_gmt":"2025-02-22T13:37:34","slug":"measuring-ketones-what-are-the-options-and-how-do-i-measure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.go-keto.com\/en\/academy\/measuring-ketones-what-are-the-options-and-how-do-i-measure\/","title":{"rendered":"What options to measure ketones"},"content":{"rendered":"

When following a ketogenic diet, you\u2019ll want to check that you\u2019re in ketosis, the state when your body burns fat instead of glucose. When your body produces ketones, they\u2019re found in your blood, in your urine and your breath. Checking the levels gives you the information that your keto diet is working and will motivate you to persevere.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are three main ways of measuring ketones, and each method measures the levels of a different substance. A blood test will calculate the levels of \u03b2-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), a urine test will measure the amount of acetoacetate present, while a breath test will measure acetone.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s also a fourth way: observation. You may notice the fruity smell of acetone in your urine or on your breath. These are signs that your body is most probably in ketosis and is burning fat. However, these signs aren\u2019t always present, and you certainly won\u2019t get an accurate picture from observation alone.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When you\u2019re in ketosis, all three of these substances will be detectable in your blood. Some molecules are small enough to pass from the bloodstream to the lungs so you can detect them in the breath. Others are excreted in the urine, and measuring them is a proxy guide to blood ketone levels.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a look at the three most reliable options and the advantages and disadvantages of each of them.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Blood ketone tests
\n<\/strong>Blood ketone testing is the most precise way of measuring ketones because it measures \u03b2-hydroxybutyrate. This substance is present in the highest quantities in the blood. By measuring BHB, you are measuring the ketones that your body will be using, in contrast to the other testing options, which calculate excreted ketones.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How to measure BHB in blood?<\/span><\/b>
\n<\/span>It\u2019s quick and easy to measure BHB in blood with a blood ketone meter. You produce a tiny drop of blood with a fingerstick which you then use to give a reading of the levels of \u03b2-hydroxybutyrate in your blood. Some ketone meters, such as the Swiss Point of Care<\/span>\u202fGK dual glucose and ketone meter kickstart set<\/span><\/a>, also allow you to measure blood glucose levels. This can be a helpful way of identifying the effect that certain foods have on your body. You enter a different type of test strip depending on what you want to measure.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To take the BHB measurement, you\u2019ll need ketone test strips, an alcohol swab to sterilise the area and a lancing pen and lancets to draw blood from your fingertip. Then proceed as follows:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n