![]() If it does not display the correct code, there is a special, coded strip provided with each vial of test strips that should be inserted into the meter to change the code. ![]() ![]() The CareTouch and Keto-Mojo include a code on the test strip vial that you should confirm matches the code displayed on the meter when a test strip is inserted. None of them require special calibration before taking your first reading. Meter start-upĮach meter comes ready to use. How easy is it to use these meters? Are some better designed than others? Here, I review matters related to the user experience. This may mean that the first test was an aberration, or it could simply be because the margin of error increases as ketone levels rise. In contrast, during the second test, the Precision Xtra and Keto-Mojo each produced two identical readings on the two test strips. Note that in both cases, both readings on these meters showed that I was well into ketosis there was just a bigger variation than expected. However, both the Precision Xtra and Keto-Mojo showed a wider difference (0.4-0.5 mmol/L) between the two test strips during the first test (when ketone levels were high). Overall, the meters were internally consistent. I tested that by taking two readings, just minutes apart, looking for the same or very similar ketone levels on those two strips. To evaluate consistency, I tried to measure whether the meter gave identical readings for two samples that were likely the same. One thing most users look for, which is a little different than accuracy, is consistency. Overall, the Precision Xtra was slightly more accurate than the other meters, but the difference is slight. ![]() On each test date, the meters with the meter readings closest to the Quest results are highlighted in orange.įor each test, all of the meters gave reasonable readings and correctly identified whether I was churning out ketones (test #1), in moderate ketosis (test #2), or out of ketosis (test #3). The best way to minimize large ketone level fluctuations is to fast. However, I wanted to minimize the chance that my ketone levels would change rapidly in the minutes between the blood draw at Quest and the subsequent ketone strip tests. I chose to test when I was in full-blown ketosis, in moderate ketosis, and out of ketosis, so we can see if the meters perform accurately in different conditions.Ī word about fasting: you do not have to be fasting to get an accurate blood ketone test. The repetitive design of the experiment allows us to evaluate the blood sugar meters several times (six readings in total for each meter), which gives us a better idea of overall meter performance rather than placing too much weight on one single reading. I repeated this procedure three times, on three separate dates. After a couple of minutes, I took a second reading on each meter (with a fresh finger prick and test strip). Within 5 minutes, I took a ketone reading from blood obtained from a single finger prick on each of the four meters. After a fast of 12-14 hours, blood was drawn at Quest Diagnostics. I used lab results from Quest Diagnostics, a large and reliable clinical laboratory in the US, to benchmark the meters. In order to assess the accuracy of the ketone meters, I compared their readings to a commercial blood test for beta-hydroxybutyrate. ![]() This is everything you need to test your blood ketones 10 times after that, you will need more ketone strips (pricey) and disposable lancets (very inexpensive). Here are the four contestants, and a picture of what you get when you unpack your kit: CareTouchĪs you can see, every meter I tested comes with a carrying case, a manual, 10 ketone strips, a lancing device (to help you get a small drop of blood as painlessly as possible) and disposable lancets (for a sterile finger-prick each time you test). In this review, I compare them across three attributes: accuracy, price and simplicity. If you are ready to invest in a blood ketone meter, which one should you buy? I wondered, too, so Diet Doctor bought the four most prominent meters available on Amazon (US), and I ran them through our testing protocol. Are you there yet? A ketone meter gives you this objective feedback as often as you decide to test. Many people experience the most benefits when blood ketone levels get above about 1.5 mmol/L. And it is the kind of information that lets you know where you are and whether you need to make a change to reach your goals. Knowing your blood ketone levels can be powerful feedback. This review, like all the content on our site, is completely independent and free from industry influence. Making it into ketosis can help supercharge weight loss and deliver other benefits like appetite control, mental clarity, and improved health. Are you in ketosis? Are you sure? With a blood ketone meter, you can test for blood levels of beta hydroxybutyrate, a ketone that your body produces when in ketosis. ![]()
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