Keto for PCOS | Day 12 | How I Check If I'm In Ketosis

When I restarted keto to manage my PCOS and get my hormones back on track, I also equipped myself to check my ketone levels.

Ketone testing—a way to check if your body is burning fat for fuel instead of sugar. There are three main ways to do it. I’ve tried them all, and here’s what I learned:

1. Urine Ketone Strips (Good for Starters)

These strips test your pee for leftover ketones. It’s affordable (I bought mine online for under ₱300), and it helped me confirm I was entering ketosis in the first week. But the longer you stay on keto, the less reliable it becomes—your body gets better at using ketones, so it wastes less.

💡 Great for beginners. Not super accurate later on.

2. Blood Ketone Monitor (Gold Standard)

This one’s the most accurate because it measures beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB)—the main ketone in your bloodstream. It shows exactly how deep in ketosis you are.

I got my kit online (₱2,000-ish), and I use it when I want real data. Especially when I’m adjusting my fasting window or checking if a certain food kicks me out of ketosis.

💡 More expensive, but super helpful for tracking PCOS progress and insulin sensitivity.

3. Breath Ketone Analyzer (Effortless but Pricey)

This device measures acetone in your breath. It’s reusable, easy, and non-invasive—which I love. I use it when I just want a quick check-in and don’t want to poke my finger.

But it’s not always 100% accurate. Still, for everyday tracking, it’s super convenient.

💡 Best for maintenance. Big upfront cost, but no strips = no waste.

If you’re just starting keto, urine strips are fine. If you’re managing PCOS seriously like I am, blood testing gives the clearest picture. And if you’re all about convenience? Breath testing works great—especially if you don’t like needles.

You don’t need to test every day. But when you’re figuring out what works for your body, it’s empowering to see real feedback—not just guess. And as someone working toward hormone balance, energy, and eventually conceiving, I want to know what’s actually working—not just hope.

Let me know if you want me to share where I got my test kits!