PH Strips

[CFree3344]

Do PH strips do the same thing as Keto strips?

At Vitamin Shoppe they only had PH strips.

If they are the same, at what # should I be at to know ketones are present?

If they aren't, it looks like i shelled out 12 bucks for nothing.. booo

[taf1968]

Pretty sure they are totally different . . . I think pH diets are different from low carb diets so to test if you are in ketosis you'd need strips that check for ketones, not alkalinity.

If it helps, I know that Walgreens sells "Ketone Test Strips" for about $10 . . . cheaper than Ketostix and they are exactly the same. Supposedly Walmart has a brand as well for cheaper than Ketostix. So it's not a huge investment.

[timmymayes]

Pretty sure they are totally different . . . I think pH diets are different from low carb diets so to test if you are in ketosis you'd need strips that check for ketones, not alkalinity.

If it helps, I know that Walgreens sells "Ketone Test Strips" for about $10 . . . cheaper than Ketostix and they are exactly the same. Supposedly Walmart has a brand as well for cheaper than Ketostix. So it's not a huge investment.

How many test strips?

[CFree3344]

Pretty sure they are totally different . . . I think pH diets are different from low carb diets so to test if you are in ketosis you'd need strips that check for ketones, not alkalinity.

If it helps, I know that Walgreens sells "Ketone Test Strips" for about $10 . . . cheaper than Ketostix and they are exactly the same. Supposedly Walmart has a brand as well for cheaper than Ketostix. So it's not a huge investment.

Thanks! Looks like I am going to Walgreens. Where do they usually keep them?

[CFree3344]

How many test strips?

Qty 50

[taf1968]

Qty 50

Yep, 50 in mine. They are usually in the section with all the diabetes test stuff if that helps. But if they aren't on the shelf . . . ask the pharmacist. They usually have more there.

On trick that I have used as well is to cut the strips lengthwise and you can even get double the strips out if it. But that got old . . . and for $10 it's easier to just go buy more than to go cross-eyed cutting them.

[CFree3344]

Yep, 50 in mine. They are usually in the section with all the diabetes test stuff if that helps. But if they aren't on the shelf . . . ask the pharmacist. They usually have more there.

On trick that I have used as well is to cut the strips lengthwise and you can even get double the strips out if it. But that got old . . . and for $10 it's easier to just go buy more than to go cross-eyed cutting them.

Just picked them up before the gym. I worked out and then came home and tried them out.

Boom!! I got small amount!! Works for me!

[timmymayes]

Just picked them up before the gym. I worked out and then came home and tried them out.

Boom!! I got small amount!! Works for me!

I just found out as long as you are registering you are good. Ketosis is very black and white either you are on it or you aren't. The higher numbers just mean you are more dehydrated and the urine is just more concentrated.

[taf1968]

I just found out as long as you are registering you are good. Ketosis is very black and white either you are on it or you aren't. The higher numbers just mean you are more dehydrated and the urine is just more concentrated.

Yes . . . you are right on the money there. You are either in or out . . . there is no heavy/light ketosis.

A lot of people on the site who are Keto veterans will say that you really don't need the strips, especially longer term . . . you'll get to the point where you will know you're in ketosis by how you feel. There are some "signs" like you'll get funky smelling breath (sometimes a metallic taste too) and your urine will smell funny/bad. You'll no doubt notice some of that.
Also, at some point there is the possibility that your body will become successfully "fat adapted" where you are using ketones efficiently enough to where you no longer generate an excess that can be measured in your urine. So it's possible to start getting false negatives on the strips even though you are in fact still in ketosis. Just some things to keep in mind for down the road based on my research and understanding. I'm new to it so I had similar questions.


I've been on keto since Jan 1 and I don't know that I could tell definitively without the strips. At any rate, they are pretty cheap and while I am getting acclimated to the process, I think they are a good way to ensure that I'm on the right track.

[timmymayes]

Yes . . . you are right on the money there. You are either in or out . . . there is no heavy/light ketosis.

A lot of people on the site who are Keto veterans will say that you really don't need the strips, especially longer term . . . you'll get to the point where you will know you're in ketosis by how you feel. There are some "signs" like you'll get funky smelling breath (sometimes a metallic taste too) and your urine will smell funny/bad. You'll no doubt notice some of that.
Also, at some point there is the possibility that your body will become successfully "fat adapted" where you are using ketones efficiently enough to where you no longer generate an excess that can be measured in your urine. So it's possible to start getting false negatives on the strips even though you are in fact still in ketosis. Just some things to keep in mind for down the road based on my research and understanding. I'm new to it so I had similar questions.


I've been on keto since Jan 1 and I don't know that I could tell definitively without the strips. At any rate, they are pretty cheap and while I am getting acclimated to the process, I think they are a good way to ensure that I'm on the right track.

How often do you test?

[taf1968]

How often do you test?

I always test daily first thing in the morning . . . just to see how I ended the day before. I keep a bottle of the strips at work, though, and will sometimes test mid afternoon just to see where I'm at. That's overkill, I know . . . but I'm just curious to keep my eye on it at this early stage.

I'm sure I'll back off at some point and just test periodically.

[timmymayes]

Yeah I plan to test at most every other day here for the next couple week but when I'm inthe full swing. I'll probably test only periodically and save the strips for verifying when I come off a carb up. I'm pretty good so far at sticking to my diet which since i'm in keto should in theory keep me there.

[Smelly_Pits]

You can double your amount of test strips if you split the strip in half making 2 skinny ones. It turns the 1/4 inch strip into two 1/8 inch strips. Just make sure you dont touch the testing area with your fingers when you are cutting.

[timmymayes]

You can double your amount of test strips if you split the strip in half making 2 skinny ones. It turns the 1/4 inch strip into two 1/8 inch strips. Just make sure you dont touch the testing area with your fingers when you are cutting.

Genius much?