Ketone Sticks (Ketostix) - What the colours mean

[Gunna-make-it]

When I bought my Ketone Strips recently, I was provided with a leaflet explaining about Ketosis and the different colours. I thought I would share as I know there has been some confusion...

Ketone Strips are used for Urinalysis of Ketones (Acetoacetic Acid). Ketostix provides a fast, convenient way of testing urine for the presence and concentration of Ketones.

1) A colour change means you are excreting ketones, burning fat and are in Ketosis but it is wise to remember that it is possible to be in Ketosis and NOT lose or even to gain weight. While a positive test means you are burning fat as your promary fuel it does not necessarily mean you are losing weight. If you eat ecessively some fuel will be used by your bady, some will be excreted (making the stick positive) and some will be retained (and stored as fat).

2) The degree of colour chage is NOT important with respect to identifying ketosis - you are either in ketosis or not, the sticks do not accurately measure degree in all people. Different people get different colours and this is completely unrelated to either their degree of weightloss or their adherance to the plan.

3) No colour change does not necessarily mean you are not in ketosis. Some people never see a change. No change just means that the sticks are detecting none of the specific ketones for which it checks in the Urine.

4) A dark colour many indicate that you are dehydrated however, a dark colour may just be normal for you. If you are drinking enough water and it is still dark, do not overload on water as it is probably your normal colour and too much water can be harmful.

So in Summary:

You are either in Ketosis or not - it does not matter what the colours say..

Dark colours are not dangerous and could be your natural colour

As long as the stick is showing any colour of pink, you are in Ketosis.

Also, it is worth remembering that not eveyone has side effects when getting into ketosis..many people enter ketosis after day 1 and are unaware!

[DeckingJim]

Hi

very useful thanks

Cheers

James

[sleepybird]

Last time i did SS, i never checked for ketosis but lost weight.
This time round, having discovered the Ketostix on this site, have become a bit obsessed about peeing on sticks!!
Oh well, I must get out more lol x

[Dieting Rambler]

Last time i did SS, i never checked for ketosis but lost weight.
This time round, having discovered the Ketostix on this site, have become a bit obsessed about peeing on sticks!!
Oh well, I must get out more lol x

Yep I am a bit obsessed as well...I know I am in Ketosis....but I just like to reassure myself every now and then it's like weighing myself....I know I am losing but I just like to check

[sleepybird]

Not just me then lol

[vampalicious]

very useful post thanks! x

[misscheeky]

thanks for taking the time to post this there has been lots of ketosis questions around lately so hopefully they will answer people's questions x

[mumpy]

thanks that really helps, i did one yesterday morning- (first pee of the day) and it was dark purple, was worried, but am drinking approx 4l of water!!

[Berryred]

thanks for this

[sealy27]

Hello ladies!

I've mentioned this on another post - but I cut my ketostix in half - twice as many for the price!! Very handy when i'm obsessed with using them! lol xx