How does one measure blood ketones?
Fortunately modern technology has come along with meters that measures ketones in the same way as we measure blood glucose – by a fingerprick test (yip, another one, damn it!). One is the Precision Xtra Meter made by Abbott Diabetes Care, the same people who make the Freestyle range of blood glucose meters. This meter tests for both blood glucose and blood beta ketones. You just have to use different test strips and remember to recalibrate for ketone testing. You get 4 ketone strips in each box of blood glucose strips used by that meter. It is also possible to purchase separate blood ketone strips. These come as 8 foil wrapped strips to a box and cost around $30.
