Ketones testing

[Inamuddle]

Sorry if this has been covered before but what do other people use for ketones testing. I have a glucoman aero from a few years ago and had so many problems getting the right test strips and the use by dates being too short that i gave up. Got it out for another go at using it but it won't work as the strips are out of date. I feel like i am the most clueless person around technology. I have a freestyle meter and an accuchek meter for normal testing. Although i can still remember the old days of peeing onto strips!

 

[SaraKaya]

There is an upgrade to the Glucoman aero @Inamuddle that can take the ketone strips if you have the old one, the ketone strips just don’t work! I thought I was getting it wrong like you but it’s the old equipment not user error so don’t feel bad!
The lovely @KARNAK pointed it out and they will upgrade it to the latest one if you have registered yours with them.

 

[Inka]

I just use Ketostix strips @Inamuddle for a similar reason to you - namely the inability of my surgery to understand anything about ketone strips and meters.

 

[Paulbreen]

Sorry if this has been covered before but what do other people use for ketones testing. I have a glucoman aero from a few years ago and had so many problems getting the right test strips and the use by dates being too short that i gave up. Got it out for another go at using it but it won't work as the strips are out of date. I feel like i am the most clueless person around technology. I have a freestyle meter and an accuchek meter for normal testing. Although i can still remeber the old days of peeing onto strips!

I have these test strips, they are rarely used but are very convenient sorry there in German but I’m sure you have them in the UK, just a little pee per and then match the colour

 

[helli]

If you have Type 1 and are in the UK, you should be able to get ketone testing strips on prescription.
The Freestyle Libre meter supports blood glucose and ketone strips.
Blood testing ketone strips are much more accurate (and probably easier to use) than the old fashioned wee sticks.

I recommend talking to your diabetes team and get ketone test strips sorted. It is not something you should be worried about, especially during the COVID pandemic as there is evidence that the virus can cause dangerously high ketones for people with Type 1.

 

[Inamuddle]

Thank you very much for the replies @Inka @Paulbreen @SaraKaya . I think the simple test strips would be much easier and prob have a longer shelf life. Will see if i can get some on monday and then see about replacing the meter and strips later. Was worried in case i went high after the vaccine.

 

[rebrascora]

I was prescribed a CareSens Dual as my BG meter by the consultant because it tests both but I have never managed to get ketone test strips prescribed for it. I managed to cadge a few from a DSN on my DAFNE course and I have only ever used one but they were short on date and will almost certainly be expired now..... just checked exp. 2020/03/11
I also have a pot of Ketostix which I can use although they have been opened for a couple of years so probably well out of date too. I think you are supposed to use them within a few months of opening the pot..... You would think they would make them in smaller quantity pots so that there is less waste.
Thankfully, in recent times I have never really needed to test in anger but I have done a couple of curiosity tests, particularly with me being low carb. If I get a high reading I don't personally consider it necessary to test for ketones unless it is persistently and stubbornly mid teens.

 

[Kaylz]

I use a Libre reader with the Optium ketone strips, I was given the FreeStyle Optium Neo meter when I was discharged from hospital so always had those strips on my prescruption xx

 

[KARNAK]

Hi @Inamuddle you can upgrade any of your meters to accept ketone strips
as long as they are registered as @SaraKaya says, if you haven`t registered
them yet please do so now or tomorrow just follow the instructions on the box
or their website phone is easier and quicker. They`ll ask you who supplied your
present meter hospital or Docs, just tell them and they will register it that day
and ask you for your meter number which is on the back of the meter and on the
box hence the need to keep the box always.

PM me if you need any more info and I`ll help you to sort it, glad to help stay safe. x

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I am lucky in that I rarely seem to produce ketones very readily when my BG goes a bit stubbornly high, so like @Inka I am happy to use urine strips.

These are far less responsive and accurate than the blood strips, but they are MUCH cheaper (ketone strips are about £2.50 EACH whereas ketostix are £5 for a pot of 50). But I wouldn’t recommend them for someone who gets ketones coming on rapidly or with any frequency.

The only slight snag with ketostix is that you have to use them within 6 months of opening the box I think. So on the rare occasion my BG has been in double figures for a day or two (illness or whatever) I start a pot and know that I probably won’t need to use it again before they all need replacing. But rather that that 10 strips at £2.50 each that run out of date in a year or whatever!

 

[Paulbreen]

I am lucky in that I rarely seem to produce ketones very readily when my BG goes a bit stubbornly high, so like @Inka I am happy to use urine strips.

These are far less responsive and accurate than the blood strips, but they are MUCH cheaper (ketone strips are about £2.50 EACH whereas ketostix are £5 for a pot of 50). But I wouldn’t recommend them for someone who gets ketones coming on rapidly or with any frequency.

The only slight snag with ketostix is that you have to use them within 6 months of opening the box I think. So on the rare occasion my BG has been in double figures for a day or two (illness or whatever) I start a pot and know that I probably won’t need to use it again before they all need replacing. But rather that that 10 strips at £2.50 each that run out of date in a year or whatever!

I’m like you Mike, once in a blue moon would I need to use the urine strips, I didn’t know they died after 6 months after opening them, I have a pot in the bathroom that must be a couple of years old so must get some new ones just in case, thanks for that little snippet