I have a few questions about the ketone sticks, and hope someone can help.

While LCing.....

Can the amount of ketosis be altered if you are drinking a lot of water (or, conversely, not drinking enough water)? I mean, if you drank alot of water would it "dilute" the urine, so the color goes from a darker pink to a paler pink or even beige?

Also, I know we're all different, but on average, do most people's level of ketosis as measured on the ketone sticks fluctuate widely during the course of the day?

Thanks!!

The answers to both your questions it yes. The more or less water you drink will show up on the stips, along with an exercising factor, and how long it has been since you last ate.


Basically they are really only good for telling you if you have ketones in your urine. Even then they might not read right. You could be in ketosis and get a negative reading on the strips. Wether dark or light, doesn't matter, you are either in ketosis or not.

It is best to test yourself at the same time each time you test. Some people test in the morning, and some at night. But you will fluctuate through out the day.

Thanks for your response. At mid-day mine was dark pink. At that point I hadn't drunk much water for the day. But then, an hour later, I had had a a bunch of water and thought I'd test again just to see. It was totally beige. So, I'm wondering why they even bother having a cascading color ( from pink to purple). I'd think the stick would be more useful if it just tested with a "positve" marking or "negative" marking. Makes more sense to me!

Where does one buy these ketosis test strips? I have looked around and been unable to find them.

Thanks.

Vinegaroon,

Ask your pharmacist; generally they are behind the pharmacy counter. I pay $6.50 in Edmonton at Costco for 50.