Ketones and hunger

[tiptoptapper]

Hi all

Diagnosed a month ago hba1c 126. Type 2.

I have been been eating v low carb (under 50g a day) successfully for 3 or more weeks. I rarely feel hungry at all. My BG has been going down nicely and I'm losing weight at a good steady pace. I was taking 2 x metformin a day and getting finger pricks in the 8s and 9s.

I have been advised to increase my carbs as I had ketone levels between 1.5 & 2.5.

I have increased carbs to 80 / 90g a day- and my ketones are now 0.5. However my BG has increased and is now averaging between 10 & high 11s.

I have increased metformin to x3 a day as per instructions. I am not taking the glucazide the nurse wants me too as my levels WERE coming down nicely without it.

I do have a stinker of a cold, I wonder if this affecting my levels.

Anyway- my point is that my research shows me that ketone level of between 1 & 3 is to be expected (and even striven for) if you eat a keto / v low carb diet.

Is having ketones at thar level for a few months going to be an issue ? I am convinced that my levels are due entirely to my diet. The nurse at A&E agreed.

I need to lose more weight, don't want to take more medication and so would like to keep v low carb moving forward.

Additionally, since I have been eating more carbs to reduce my ketones, as well as BG going up, I am HUNGRY as anything and obsessing over food constantly- and it wasn't like that at all before.

I am miserable!

 

[rebrascora]

My advice would be to listen to your body. If low carb/keto suits you and is achieving what you want as regards managing your diabetes and achieving desired weight loss and you feel well even when your ketones are higher than your nurse is comfortable with, but not dangerously high and totally to be expected on a keto diet, then I would stick with it, BUT monitor your ketones if you start to feel ill and/or BG rises to mid teens or above.

You have to do what works for you and what makes you feel well. I totally understand the increased cravings once you increase carbs and how hard it is to fight that, when low carb is satisfying and achieves great results and stops those cravings. I was actively encouraged not to go low carb, but I find it beneficial for me in lots of ways. I don't go as low as keto but I generally don't eat the big hitters like bread and pasta and potatoes and cereals and biscuits/cake and my whole body thanks me for it. The odd occasion that I eat some of those foods I am usually disappointed that I actually don't enjoy them that much anymore, and I am struggling with cravings for a couple of days afterwards until I get back on track and it upsets my digestive system which has been so much better since going low carb.