day 4 ~ still not showing ketosis on ketostix.

[pdxchix]

I thought I was showing 'trace' on my ketostix but I actually think they were more beige than pink at all. I think I am not in ketosis. It's day 4 and I haven't even eaten yet. I'm a bit disappointed. Anyone else had this happen?

[Elizellen]

I never managed to see any change in colour even when losing several pounds a week

Have you any of the other signs of being in ketosis?

[Georgiana]

Originally Posted by pdxchix

I thought I was showing 'trace' on my ketostix but I actually think they were more beige than pink at all. I think I am not in ketosis. It's day 4 and I haven't even eaten yet. I'm a bit disappointed. Anyone else had this happen?

Ketostix are a pretty crappy way to measure ketosis. First because they only detect one of the three types of ketones (acetoacetate), and second because they only measure the concentration of excess acetoacetate in the urine. If you have no excess acetoacetate left to pee, then you can be in ketosis without the stix changing color. Or you can eat a pound of butter per day and then the ketostix will turn pink or purple, but you probably won't lose weight or even gain. You can also make the stix darker by adding more short and medium chain triglycerides to your diet (e.g. coconut oil), but that won't mean anything either.

The ketostix are just tools and your goal is losing weight, not making your pee change the color of the stix.

Physical signs of ketosis, such as a different taste in your mouth, "funny" smelling urine, sweat and/or breath, increased energy, need for less sleep, reduced appetite, thirst, are a better indicator of ketosis.

[pdxchix]

Originally Posted by Elizellen

I never managed to see any change in colour even when losing several pounds a week

Have you any of the other signs of being in ketosis?

It's nice to hear about your story and how you never managed to see a color change. That's good to hear.

Other signs of being in ketosis, hm... maybe? I *thought* my mouth seemed to be a bit metallic today. Could be I'm just hoping it would be though.

[pdxchix]

Originally Posted by Georgiana

Ketostix are a pretty crappy way to measure ketosis. First because they only detect one of the three types of ketones (acetoacetate), and second because they only measure the concentration of excess acetoacetate in the urine. If you have no excess acetoacetate left to pee, then you can be in ketosis without the stix changing color. Or you can eat a pound of butter per day and then the ketostix will turn pink or purple, but you probably won't lose weight or even gain. You can also make the stix darker by adding more short and medium chain triglycerides to your diet (e.g. coconut oil), but that won't mean anything either.

The ketostix are just tools and your goal is losing weight, not making your pee change the color of the stix.

Physical signs of ketosis, such as a different taste in your mouth, "funny" smelling urine, sweat and/or breath, increased energy, need for less sleep, reduced appetite, thirst, are a better indicator of ketosis.

Thanks for that information. I didn't know this. I always thought the ketostix were the best way to tell.

I didn't notice 'funny' smelling urine or anything but I have not been hungry at all since I started Atkins. Maybe that's a good sign! I'm not weighing until next week. I'm really hoping it will show results.