Vivoo Ketone Box

Vivoo Ketone Box

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Melda Tunçbiz

Written by Melda Tunçbiz, reviewed by Nutrition Specialist Esra Kozan on June 14, 2023

Vivoo’s ketone test can help detect presence of ketones in the urine. Normally, no ketones are expected to be found in the urine. However, if‌ ‌you‌ ‌are‌ ‌following‌ ‌a‌ ‌‌ketogenic‌ ‌diet,‌ ‌‌this‌ ‌box‌ ‌can help you to ‌track ‌your‌ ‌ketosis ‌journey.‌ 

What do Ketones in Urine Mean?

When you find ketones in your urine, it means your body is tapping into fat stores when it can't access enough glucose for energy. This process naturally results in the production of ketones. Ketones are important because they can step in as a backup fuel for your brain when there's a shortage of glucose.

Ketones usually don't show up in your urine, but there are times when they might. Things like not eating enough carbs, not drinking enough water, doing really intense workouts, or getting sick can elevate your ketone levels. 

There are other times when you want to see ketones in your urine. Specifically, if you're on a ketogenic diet, finding moderate ketones in your urine is a good thing. It means you're in a state called "ketosis," where your body is burning fat for energy instead of sugar.

However, if you notice high levels of ketones in your urine, it might be a sign that something unusual is going on in your body

What is a Normal Ketone Level in Urine?

If you are not on a ketogenic diet, it is expected that there will be no ketones in your urine. Urine ketone levels  are crucial for those following the ketogenic diet, as these tests offer a way for them to monitor the effectiveness of their diet. The ketogenic diet (also known as the low-carb diet) keeps the amount of carbohydrates consumed by the individual low and the amount of protein moderate. Thus, a large part of the diet is made up of fats. The diet's ultimate goal is to force the body to burn fats instead of glucose for energy to reach the “ketosis state”. 

Individuals on a ketogenic diet should monitor their ketone levels to determine if their diet is working and whether their body is in the ketosis state. Ideally, you should measure your ketone levels at the same time every day so that your tests are not influenced by other external everyday factors. In addition, measuring your urinary ketone levels before eating anything can be more beneficial for monitoring your results. 

That said, it can be challenging to determine whether your diet needs any adjustment for reaching and maintaining ketosis. This is because ketones will eventually not be found in the urine once the body adapts to ketosis. Instead of "leaking" ketones, your body will start "leaking" uric acid instead once it is used to being in ketosis.

Your uric acid levels will also return to normal over time. This is a key sign of keto-adaptation. In other words, it means that your body has adapted to, adjusted, and accepted the ketogenic diet.

How Can You Test Ketones with Vivoo?

‌Vivoo's urine test strips offer a straightforward and fuss-free method for determining if you have ketones in your urine. The‌ ‌‌one of the best‌ ‌time ‌to check your urinary ketone levels is ‌in‌‌ ‌the‌ ‌early‌ ‌morning or‌ the late‌ ‌evening‌ ‌after‌ ‌dinner.‌ 

How to Evaluate Possible Results?

Here are the reference ranges that Vivoo urine test users for those not following a ketogenic diet:

  • Great  Value: ≤5 mg/dL
  • Label: Moderate Value: 15 mg/dL
  • Label: Weak  Label: 50-150 mg/dL

Here are the reference ranges that Vivoo uses for ketosis:

  • Label: Negative Value: 0 mg/dL
  • Label: Optimal Value: 5-50 mg/dL
  • Label: High Label: 50-150 mg/dL

Vivoo urine test results provide you with a way to indicate that you’re on a ketogenic diet when using the App. Drawing on your urinary ketone levels, Vivoo provides you with personalized nutritional and lifestyle advice to help you reach the optimal ketosis state. This is particularly helpful if you've just started on a ketogenic diet and/or require dietary advice. Note that you don't have to be on a ketogenic diet to benefit from Vivoo. Monitoring urinary ketone levels can provide crucial insights into anyone’s overall wellness.

When Should You Test Ketones?

The frequency of ketone testing depends on your specific goals and circumstances. For those on a ketogenic diet, daily testing may be necessary initially, but some individuals may test less frequently once they are familiar with their body's response to the diet.

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img author
Melda Tunçbiz

Written by Melda Tunçbiz, reviewed by Nutrition Specialist Esra Kozan on June 14, 2023

Table of Contents

What do Ketones in Urine Mean?

What is a Normal Ketone Level in Urine?

How Can You Test Ketones with Vivoo?

How to Evaluate Possible Results?

When Should You Test Ketones?

Frequently Asked Question

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FAQs

Can ketones be caused by dehydration?

Ketones can indeed be produced in your body when you're dehydrated, but dehydration isn't the main reason for ketone production.

Ketones are like tiny energy packets made by your body when it needs fuel. Normally, your body uses carbohydrates for energy, but when it doesn't have enough of them, like when you're on a low-carb diet or fasting, it turns to fat instead. This process is called ketosis, and it results in the creation of ketones.

Now, here's where dehydration comes into play. Dehydration can make it difficult for the body to produce glucose. In the case of dehydration, the body may have trouble generating the energy needed to break down glycogen into glucose efficiently. This can lead to the production of ketones.

So, while dehydration can contribute to your body making ketones, it's not the primary reason.

What is the importance of ketones in urine?

Ketones are substances produced by your body when it breaks down fat for energy. They can show up in your urine, and what that means for you can vary:

  • Normal Levels: Sometimes, it's completely normal to have a small amount of ketones in your urine. For example, if you haven't eaten for a while or after intense exercise, you might see some ketones, and that's generally okay. Such situations are short-term and ketonuria is temporary.
  • Low-Carb Diets: If you're on a low-carb diet like keto, you might have higher ketone levels in your urine. This is expected and usually not harmful in the short term. The aim should be to reach optimal levels over time and stay there.
  • Dehydration: Not drinking enough water can lead to more ketones in your urine. Staying hydrated is key to preventing this.
  • Fasting: During extended periods without food (like fasting), your body breaks down fat for energy, producing ketones. This is normal during fasting.
  • Other Conditions: Sometimes, ketones can appear in your urine due to other health issues, such as certain metabolic diseases or severe infections.


To sum it up, having ketones in your urine isn't automatically bad. It depends on why they're there. If you have diabetes or are unsure about the cause, it's wise to talk to a medical professional for the right guidance and diagnosis.

Can you have ketones in your urine if you are not diabetic?

Ketones can be present in your urine even if you're not diabetic, and this can happen due to factors such as following a ketogenic diet, fasting, intense exercise, or certain medical conditions.
Vivoo cannot diagnose or provide recommendations for diabetes. It will provide support to manage temporary situations for those who do not follow the ketogenic diet, and to manage their diets for those who do.

What level of ketones is too high?

For individuals not following a ketogenic diet, the presence of some ketones in your urine is considered normal, especially if it is temporary, resulting in a moderate or weak reading. However, if your ketone levels become excessively high and persist beyond your control, this could indicate an underlying issue.

For those adhering to a ketogenic diet, the occurrence of ketones in urine is expected due to the low-carb nature of the diet. During the initial stages of adopting a ketogenic diet, symptoms like headache, weakness, and muscle pain may manifest as part of the keto flu. These symptoms typically subside as your body adjusts to the diet. Nonetheless, if they persist despite your efforts, a thorough review may be advisable.

References 

  1. Laffel L. (1999). Ketone bodies: a review of physiology, pathophysiology and application of monitoring to diabetes. Diabetes/metabolism research and reviews15(6), 412–426. https://doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1520-7560(199911/12)15:6<412::aid-dmrr72>3.0.co;2-8
  2. Batch, J. T., Lamsal, S. P., Adkins, M., Sultan, S., & Ramirez, M. N. (2020). Advantages and Disadvantages of the Ketogenic Diet: A Review Article. Cureus, 12(8), e9639. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.9639
  3. Masood W, Annamaraju P, Uppaluri KR. Ketogenic Diet. [Updated 2020 Dec 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499830/
  4. Scott JM, Deuster PA. Ketones and Human Performance. J Spec Oper Med. 2017 Summer;17(2):112-116. PMID: 28599043.