How to Properly Use a Blood Ketone Meter: A Deep Dive into Ketone Testing!

In recent years, the ketogenic diet has gradually become a popular way to pursue a healthy lifestyle. Its goal is to reduce the body's dependence on sugars and enhance metabolic capacity. To effectively follow a ketogenic diet, it is essential to understand ketone testing and learn how to use a blood ketone meter. Next, we will introduce what ketone testing is and how to use a blood ketone meter. Let’s take a look!
 

What is Ketone Testing?

Ketone bodies are alternative energy sources that the body uses when carbohydrates are scarce, primarily consisting of acetone, acetoacetate, and β-hydroxybutyrate. These compounds are produced during fat metabolism, especially when carbohydrate intake is low or energy demands increase (such as during fasting). Normally, the body produces a small amount of ketones, mainly during fasting periods. However, low-carbohydrate diets (like the ketogenic diet), fasting, or diabetes can lead to increased ketone production due to impaired insulin function, resulting in higher ketone levels. Thus, ketones are important indicators for those on a ketogenic diet and are also key for assessing metabolic status.
 

 

Why is Ketone Testing Necessary?

Ketone testing helps users determine if they are in ketosis and evaluate their dietary effectiveness. It is also essential for individuals with diabetes to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis. If you belong to one of these groups, consider planning for a ketone test!
 

Ketogenic Diet

The ketogenic diet focuses on high fat, moderate protein, and low carbs, helping the body burn fat for energy instead of glucose. This approach can promote weight loss, improve metabolism, reduce inflammation, and enhance athletic performance. However, consuming too few carbs can lead to high ketone levels, increasing the risk of ketoacidosis if the body can't process them efficiently.
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Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting involves scheduling specific periods for eating and fasting to regulate metabolism. During fasting, only calorie-free drinks like water, unsweetened tea, or coffee are allowed. This reduces glucose intake, lowers insulin demand, and triggers the release of glucagon, which breaks down fat for energy.

Common intermittent fasting methods include the 16:8 and 18:6 approaches, which involve fasting for 16 or 18 hours each day. Another popular option is the 5:2 method, where you choose two days a week to limit calorie intake to under 500 calories. For those practicing intermittent fasting and wanting to monitor their fat-burning progress, using a blood ketone meter can help track ketone levels and confirm the effectiveness of fasting on fat metabolism.
 

Diabetic patients

When insulin secretion is insufficient, sugar cannot enter the cells to provide energy, so the body turns to breaking down fat for fuel. During this process, ketones are released into the bloodstream and later excreted through urine. For diabetic patients, elevated blood ketone levels or positive urine ketones indicate inadequate carbohydrate intake or ineffective insulin function. If ketones build up excessively in the blood, it can lead to ketoacidosis, a life-threatening condition that may cause coma or even death.
 

Ketone testing normal values

In addition to measuring urine ketones, breath ketones, and blood ketones to check your ketone levels, you can also measure the GKI (Glucose Ketone Index). GKI is an indicator of metabolic status, calculated by the ratio of blood glucose to blood ketones. Since it monitors blood glucose levels, GKI is especially suitable for those on a ketogenic diet to track weight loss and athletic performance, as well as for diabetes patients to manage their condition.

The Glucose Ketone Index (GKI) is the ratio of glucose to ketones. A lower GKI indicates a higher efficiency in fat metabolism, which promotes fat burning and weight control. Below is a table explaining the significance of different GKI values.
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GKI Value table

 

How to test for ketones?

There are three methods to measure ketones: urine ketones, blood ketones, and breath ketones. For those on a ketogenic diet, it's important to ensure ketone levels are within the ideal range, and these three methods can be used to track the data. Among them, blood ketone testing is the most accurate. It measures the concentration of β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) in the blood, making it a useful tool for monitoring blood sugar in diabetic patients as well. Additionally, measuring ketones in the morning while fasting can provide the most reliable data.
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How to choose a blood ketone meter?

When choosing a blood ketone meter, it is recommended to select a model with international certification that can measure both blood sugar and ketones. This allows for real-time blood glucose readings and the calculation of the GKI (Glucose Ketone Index). Additionally, opting for a meter that requires minimal blood and causes less discomfort during testing can help reduce the discomfort of the process. Beyond these features, accuracy is the most important factor, so it's essential to compare and research thoroughly before making a purchase.
 

How to Properly Use a Blood Ketone Meter

Blood ketone meter is a medical device, and its use must comply with the instructions provided in the manual. For any important medical decisions, you should verify the quality of the device and consult a healthcare professional. Below are five key points to consider when using a blood ketone meter.
 

Code Card Calibration

Before using the blood ketone meter, whether it's your first time or when opening a new batch of test strips, you need to re-enter the code. Each pack of test strips comes with a code card. When using the device, make sure that the code displayed on the meter matches the code on both the test strip vial and the code card to ensure accurate readings.
 

Preparation

Before conducting a blood ketone test, you need to prepare the blood ketone meter, test strips, alcohol swabs, and cotton balls. Ensure all tools are ready, then disinfect your hands to prevent cross-contamination.
 

Blood Sampling Site

When performing a blood ketone test, to reduce discomfort, it is recommended to choose the fingertip as the blood collection site, as this can also help ensure an adequate blood sample. For those who are very sensitive to pain, adjusting the depth of the lancing device can help ease discomfort. Additionally, watching instructional videos online can be an effective way to improve blood collection techniques.
 

Disposal of Needles

Used needles should be placed in a puncture-resistant container and properly sealed before being returned to the hospital for disposal. If hospital disposal is not possible, you can contact local sanitation workers for proper collection.
 

Optimal testing time for ketones

Ketone levels fluctuate throughout the day depending on the time and intensity of activities. For example, ketone readings tend to be lower in the morning and higher in the evening, with levels also dropping after exercise. To obtain accurate results, it's important to measure ketone levels at the same time each day to minimize the influence of external factors.
 

How to Ensure Accuracy in Ketone Testing?

Ketone test results can be influenced by multiple factors, leading to misleading measurements. Below are three tips to help maintain the accuracy of ketone testing. If you often find your ketone readings to be inaccurate, be sure to check if there are any errors in your testing process!
 

Measure at the same time

Changes in blood ketone levels are related to the user's food intake and the time of measurement. Therefore, it's recommended to measure ketone levels at the same time each day. Additionally, keep the interval between meals consistent to avoid the influence of food on the results, which could lead to inaccurate readings.
 

Code card calibration

If you are using the blood ketone meter for the first time or using test strips with a different code, remember to reset the code. Insert the code card into the device, and ensure that the code on the test strip container and the code card match the number displayed on the meter before starting the blood ketone test.
 

Storing Test Strips

Test strips come in two types of packaging: individual foil wrappers or multi-strip containers. With individually wrapped strips, you only open one at a time for use. For container-packed strips, make sure to tightly close the lid immediately after removing a strip to prevent moisture exposure. Store the strips in a cool, dry place at room temperature, and avoid refrigerating them or exposing them to direct sunlight, as this could affect their accuracy.
 

Choose BeneCheck for your blood ketone meter.

The BeneCheck Knight Monitoring System is certified by the Taiwan FDA and offers features such as Bluetooth connectivity, an automatic strip ejector, pre- and post-meal markers, and GKI calculation. In addition to accurately measuring blood ketones, it is a versatile device capable of testing blood glucose, total cholesterol, and uric acid. The system also incorporates the latest hematocrit correction technology to eliminate interference from red blood cells and comes equipped with a large, easy-to-read screen to enhance user convenience.
〈Recommendation：BeneCheck Knight Blood Glucose & β-ketone (BHB) Monitoring System〉
〈Recommendation：BeneCheck Knight Blood β-ketone (BHB) Monitoring System〉
 

Conclusion

For those following a ketogenic diet, it's important to ensure ketone levels are within the ideal range. This can be measured through urine, blood, or breath ketone testing. Among these methods, blood ketone testing is the most accurate and can also be used by diabetic patients to monitor blood sugar levels.

General Life Biotechnology specializes in medical devices, home health management, and diabetes care, offering professional OEM/ODM services. Additionally, the blood ketone meter has received multiple international certifications, including Taiwan FDA and CE certification. If you have any further questions about the blood ketone meter, please feel free to contact us, and our specialists will be happy to assist you.
 

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