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!

[kered]

Thanks for taking the time to type all that up. It will be very helpful to new members who buy the ketostix.

[xx.kirsty.xx]

Thanks for the info very helpful, this just clarifys (spelling?) that i went into ketosis pon day 1 lol

x

[loulouless]

thanks thats a great post

[MrsFatBum]

thanx for sharing that with us! helped alot xx

[miss_unknown]

Thanks for the info hun, how are ya getting on with cd?

[plussizebarbie]

hey thanks for that although i'm a little scared!!bought the sticks today and tested them and im the second from darkest colour??im drink 2 and a half litres of water a day is this enough??xxx

[Gunna-make-it]

Hello Barbie - yes, I would say 2 and a half to 3 litres is enough - the colour does not always reflect dehydration... if you are getting other side effects such as bad head aches, feeling sick then you probably do need a bit more water...

[Gunna-make-it]

Hi Miss Unknown... Doing very well on the Cambridge Diet, have found it so much easier to sick to than Lipotrim and the flavours are wonderful! I actually look forward to having some of the food packs such as the porridge this morning!
My wedding dress should be coming back this month so I have started exercising as of yesterday (did 20 mins on my mini trampoline) this morning it looks like I lost 2lbs overnight - I love it - how are you?

[plussizebarbie]

Hello Barbie - yes, I would say 2 and a half to 3 litres is enough - the colour does not always reflect dehydration... if you are getting other side effects such as bad head aches, feeling sick then you probably do need a bit more water...

I feel ok, only pain i have is back pain, which started before i started lipotrim. Thanks for your advice chick ill have a word with the chemist when i go on friday.
xxxx

[Foo Fan]

Thanks for that - I got some today (just in case i slip again)