While testing for ketones is a surefire way to know whether you’ve hit ketosis or not, measuring your Glucose Ketone Index (GKI) number will provide you with a better understanding of your metabolic state. Originally developed by Dr. Thomas Seyfried to track a patient’s metabolic state for brain tumor management, GKI is used as a biomarker for other disease states in addition to measuring your state of ketosis.
Measure your glucose too
Whenever your glucose readings fall, ketone readings rise. Blood glucose reacts to food faster than ketones do, so tracking glucose along with ketones will help determine what foods affect your state of ketosis more. It is possible to be in ketosis, but also have a high glucose reading at the same time– this is where GKI comes in. We make it easy for you. The Tricella Trio measures glucose, ketones and automatically calculates the GKI for you in our app. Grab one here!
How to calculate your glucose ketone index (GKI):
(Glucose Reading (mg/dL) ÷ 18) ÷ Ketone Reading (mmol/L) = Glucose Ketone Index
- Take your glucose reading (mg/dL) and divide by 18 (skip this step if your glucose is already measured in mmol)
- Divide the glucose reading by the ketone reading
What does your GKI number mean?
>9 Not in ketosis
6 – 9 Low ketosis
Ideal for weight loss and maintaining health goals
3 – 6 Moderate ketosis
Ideal for those that have type 2 diabetes, obesity, insulin resistance,
<3 High ketosis
Ideal for patients with cancer, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease