elizajk's Journal, 18 February 2016

Ketone strips are useless for determining Ketosis, and are not meant for that purpose. They are to be used by Diabetics to prevent Ketoacidosis. So what do they measure? You produce 3 Ketones: Acetate, Acetoacetate, and Beta-Hydroxybutyrate. Ketostix only measure Acetoacetate. The longer you stay in Ketosis, the more Acetoacetate is converted to Beta-Hydroxybutyrate, therefore, the longer you stay in Ketosis, the weaker your stick reading will be, not stronger. So what to do? Use a Ketone Breath Meter, a much more reliable and useful way to measure how your body is actually using Ketones. It's why you have that "Metallic" taste in your mouth come late afternoon, you can thank Ketone's for that. If you have that taste, your in Ketosis.. 

When I am drinking plenty of water that ketone breath and registering on the ketostix goes away. Mahjohn evidently has the technical side of it all covered. Also, you might see a darker reading if you test first thing in the morning because we burn a lot while we "fast" during sleep. IF you are losing weight you are burning fat, and therefore in ketosis. Strictly speaking, even a high carb lower calorie diet will put a person in "ketosis," not just low carb. The point is you're burning fat for fuel. Low carb diets are more efficient at putting a person in ketosis. [Sources for this information are Dr. Atkins and Gary Taubes.] 

Point is, if you're losing weight I wouldn't worry about measuring ketones. 

Exactly...we go Ketotic every night...it's why fasting is a great way...so if you're losing weight....don't sweat the stick. 

Many years ago - and not knowing any better - I became discouraged when the ketostix "faded out" and thought the diet wasn't working and I couldn't lose weight. So untrue and a BIG mistake.  

I found the better adapted I am to keto, the less the urine shows it. 

you don't have to be dark purple. Even if you are trace pink, you are burning fat and are in a lower stage of ketosis. (That is what my Dr Atkins book says anyway) I have checked strips at all different times of day and after different events. When I get up in the morning, that first empting of the bladder, I am not showing any color on strip. A couple hrs after exercise or eating, that is when pink to purple shows up on the strip. So we are all different as to when and how much. I can tell when I am in ketosis by the taste in my mouth. sounds nasty but being in ketosis will give you bad breath if not drinking enough water.  

Drinking the bulletproof coffee will help get you into ketosis. Will also help you recover quickly when you have a cheat day.