Calculate the Glucose Ketone Index (GKI)
  • 12 Jul 2023
  • 1 Minute to read
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Calculate the Glucose Ketone Index (GKI)

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Article Summary

A Glucose Ketone Index (GKI) provides insight into your overall metabolic health and level of ketosis. With a Premium subscription, you can log Blood Glucose and Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) Ketone measurements for the same meal to calculate a Glucose Ketone Index (GKI) automatically.

While ketones are usually measured in mmol/L throughout the world, blood glucose is typically measured in mg/dL in the U.S. To calculate your GKI, Carb Manager converts all units to mmol/L and then divides glucose measurements by BHB ketone measurements.

GKI calculation: blood glucose (mmol/L) divided by BHB Ketones (mmol/L) equals Glucose Ketone Index (GKI)

To calculate your GKI, complete these steps.

  1. Go to Settings icon Settings.
  2. In the My Settings section, select App Settings icon App Settings.
  3. In the Unit section, verify that Carb Manager is measuring Blood Test (BHB) ketones. For details, see Set a ketone testing method.
  4. Go to the Home icon Daily Log, then log a blood glucose measurement and log a beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) ketone measurement for the same meal (such as Breakfast), snack, or supplement.
    Tip: You can log your measurements before or after a meal or after fasting.
    Tip: You can also enter blood glucose, ketones, and other measurements in the Health Goals screen. For details, see Add body and health measurements.

After you enter your measurements, Carb Manager calculates your GKI and displays your GKI for the meal in which you logged your information.

Important: In order for your GKI to be calculated accurately, make sure to log only one set of Blood Glucose and Ketone readings to a category.
Tip: To view your GKI over time, go to Goals icon Goals in the main menu and select Glucose Ketone Index from the list of measurements in the Progress tab. For details, see View progress and gain insights toward goals.

Troubleshoot an incorrect GKI

If your GKI number seems incorrect, complete these steps to ensure that your testing units and your testing device are in sync.

  1. Go to Settings icon Settings.
  2. In the My Settings section, select App Settings icon App Settings.
  3. In App Settings, verify that Carb Manager is measuring Blood Test (BHB) ketones. For details, see Set a ketone testing method.
  4. In App Settings, verify that Carb Manager is measuring Blood Measurement Density Units and Ketone Density Units in the same units (mmol/L or mg/dl) as your testing device. For details, see Change units of measurement (metric, imperial, and density).