How to Use Ketone Test Strips

Ketones are produced by your body when fat is burned for energy. They can also be naturally produced when you lose weight, as well as when you have an insulin deficiency. Some dieters use ketone testing strips to monitor their weight loss. It's also important for diabetics to be aware of ketones in their urine, as this combined with high blood sugar could lead to a life-threatening condition. However, diabetics who are losing weight will naturally have ketones in their urine. You can follow simple steps to use ketone test strips.

Things You'll Need

• Glass container
• Urine
• Ketone testing strip
• Color chart

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Instructions

• 1

  Find a glass container. Ensure that it is clean and dry. Use this container to catch a small amount of your urine.

• 2

  Remove one of the ketone testing strips. Immediately close the lid of the testing strips container. You'll need to be sure this lid is kept secure because even a very small amount of moisture can affect how the testing strips work.

• 3

  Locate the reagent pad part of the ketone testing strip. (Your testing kit's instructions will tell you how to locate the pad.) Totally immerse it in the urine sample. Immediately remove it again so the pads do not dissolve.

• 4

  Pass the ketone testing strip through your urine stream if you do not wish to use the method of immersing it in a sample cup. Just be sure not to immerse the strip in your urine stream for more than a couple of seconds.

• 5

  Hold the testing strip horizontally and wait for about 15 seconds. When the color on the testing strip changes, check the color against the color chart provided for you in the ketone testing kit. The color chart will tell you whether you have ketones in your urine, as well as an approximate level.