Question:
Why use a stick to measure ketosis?

Were any of your labs abnormal and did your doctor tell you to check the levels of ketones? I am curious. I am almost 3 months post-op and will have my first blood work drawn next week so my surgeon will have results for my next visit on 12/2. I have been doing well on eating protein but I am having trouble getting in 64 oz. of liquid. I am lucky if I get half that amount. I do worry that I may damage my kidneys and have a history of kidney stones. Any insight is appreciated.    — Kathleen K. (posted on November 20, 2002)

November 20, 2002
ALOHA!!! The use of Ketostix is not usually associated with any abnormal lab work. It is usually done when you are on a high protein/fat burning diet such as the Adkins Diet. Dr. Adkins recommends the use of them to monitor your ketone levels so see if you are in ketosis (fat burning mode). Since many of our post op diets fall in line with the Adkins (or Modified Adkins) diet, a lot of people use the urinalysis test as a "sanity" check to see if they are in the fat burning mode. Keep in mind that not everyone has high levels of ketones in their body, whether they are burning fat or not. For some reason, my test strips rarely show me in ketosis but I have lost 92 pounds in 14 weeks. (You can also tell you are in ketosis if you have funky breath.. Weird, huh??) At any rate, some diabetics also test for high levels of ketones because they are prone to another symptom which can be deadly...ketoacidosis. So, in a nutshell, this is what the strips are used for. Completely voluntary and usually just a tool to see if you are burning fat. Hope this helps!! Hugs, Kathie (in Hawaii)... Open RNY / 08-07-02 Down 92 POUNDS!!!
   — KathieInHawaii