A Detailed Guide to the Urine Ketone Test
An alternative to blood ketone tests, urine ketone tests are also used to monitor the levels of ketones. Here ketones are a fuel that forms by breaking down fat for energy. When it comes to testing the ketones level, one effective method is ketone test strips. With these strips, people can test ketones without professional help at their homes. Diabetic people and those on the keto diet usually undertake ketone tests. This article explains when and how to use the urine ketone test.
Who Should Test for Ketones?
Ketones are often tested by people with diabetes and those following the Keto diet.
For people having diabetes, ketones production can increase due to low insulin for using glucose as fuel. Instead, it breaks down fat, resulting in a build-up of organic compounds in the blood and urine called DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis). Since DKA is a dangerous condition, it’s crucial for people to test ketones regularly.
Ketogenic or keto is a low-carb or no-carb diet, and testing ketones let people know if they are in a state of ketosis. Ketosis is a state in which a body starts using fat for energy.
Urine Ketone Tests for Ketosis
People following the ketogenic or keto diet often test their urine for ketones to know whether their body has started using fat or energy (a state referred to as ketosis). Using urine ketone test strips to check for ketosis is similar to using them to check the urine for ketones in case an individual has diabetes.
How to Use Urine Ketone Testing Strips?
Regardless of the brand of ketone test steps a person is using, it’s essential to read the directions for use.
- Saturating the Test Strip
To take a urine ketone test, an individual must get his urine onto the test strip. A ketone test strip can be saturated with urine using two ways.
The first way is to hold the ketone test strips in the urine stream until saturated. And another way is to collect a ‘clean-catch’ sample. To do the same, a person should wash his hands and clean his genital area. When urinating, hold the collection cup in the urine stream until the cup has an ounce or two. After peeing, one must wash hands and dip a test strip into the cup to saturate it.
- Interpret the Results
If the color of a ketone test strip changes from the original one, it indicates the presence of ketones in the urine. The test kit usually comes with a color chart. A person can compare the test strip’s color to the color chart to know how many ketones are in his urine.
Conclusion
When using urine test strips to measure ketones without professional help, check the testing kit’s expiration date for accurate results. In addition, the best time to test urine for ketones is early morning or after dinner. According to research, ketone test results are more reliable at these times. If an individual is finding it challenging to distinguish test strip colors, it’s better to contact a professional for accurate result interpretation.
