Blood Ketone Testing
Blood ketone test strips are an essential part of diabetes care. These strips are easy to use at home, but you need a machine to use them. Some blood glucose meters can also test blood ketone levels. You put a blood ketone test strip into the meter, prick your finger, and put a drop of blood on the strip. The meter will display the result after processing [3].
The results of your blood ketone test can be:
- Normal levels of blood ketones are below 0.6 millimoles per liter.
- Levels of 0.6 to 1.5 millimoles per liter are higher than normal, and you should test again soon.
- A blood ketone level of 1.6 to 3 millimoles per liter is often associated with ketoacidosis. You should talk with your healthcare provider.
- Blood ketone levels of more than 3 millimoles per liter are dangerous, and you should seek immediate medical care.
Blood ketone level measurement needs a finger prick and is more invasive than urine or breath testing. However, blood levels of ketones give a more useful assessment of the immediate metabolic situation. If you suspect DKA, a blood ketone test is best.
Breath Ketone Meter
Ketone breath meter readings are an alternative to painful finger pricks for ketone level measurements. It has the advantage of convenience — you don't have to draw blood or collect urine. Simply breathing into the meter gives you a reading of your ketone level. Such convenient and noninvasive measurements can guide both diabetes treatment and ketogenic diet plans.
Acetone in the breath correlates well with blood levels of ketones, glucose metabolism, and fat breakdown (lipolysis). Measuring acetone concentration in exhaled air is a sensitive method of assessing blood ketone levels. The sensitivity of breath ketone meter readings is higher than that of urine ketone [1].
Differences in the Tests
The urine ketosis test strips are the easiest to use and are good enough for routine monitoring of diabetes or a keto diet. You don't need any special equipment.
The blood ketone test is the most accurate and is best if you suspect a dangerous condition like DKA. However, you need to prick your finger to collect blood and need a machine to process the test.
The ketone breath test appears attractive but is still under evaluation and not generally available.
Test Ketones in Your Urine With Ketonox
If you're looking for a convenient way to test your ketone level, Ketonox is an at-home test strip for detecting ketones in the urine. You can use it to assess how well your ketogenic diet is working. People with diabetes can also use Ketonox to assess their insulin treatment and diabetes control. These strips are available in resealable packs, allowing use over an extended period.
This simple and affordable test enables you to monitor your health at home with clinical-level dependability. The fast, reliable results and the associated mobile app let you record and share your test data.
