Please Note: This post has been updated. Please view the new device for testing here
In this post, I’ll be showing you how to Measure Breath Ketones using the cheap breathalyser shown below instead of a ketonix (or blood ketone meter).
Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through a make a purchase.
BREATHALYSER – https://amzn.to/2Q4DFVe (Amazon)
CHEAP BREATHALYSER (eBay Australia)
If you’re interested in getting a blood ketone meter for free, CLICK HERE.
What Is A Breathalyser?
This simple device is what’s called a “breathalyzer”. It’s used to measure the alcohol in your breath by blowing into a sensor, and it gives you a reading in grams per 100ml. In Australia, having an alcohol reading of 0.05g/100ml or higher is considered illegal to drive a motor vehicle.
This device usually goes on eBay for around $10. This super cheap device runs on 3 X AAA batteries and gives you an accurate reading very quickly.
What Is A Ketonix?
A ketonix is a device that measures ketones in your breath. The ketones in your breath is not the same as the ketones measured in blood. Breath ketones are a real-time indicator of using fat as fuel, which is a huge advantage compared to measure urine or blood ketones.
They are very expensive, ranging up to 239.00 USD. This makes the breathalyzer look like a very good option.
What Is Acetone and why is it important?
Acetone as a substance outside of the body is a colourless, volatile, flammable liquid, and is the simplest ketone. Whilst in the body, it is produced by your body whilst in ketosis and used as energy, exactly the same as beta-hydroxybutyrate, commonly known as BHB (usually bound to salts which are also called BHB salts).
If you don’t already know, ketones are used by the body when carbohydrate is restricted, and fat is being burned for fuel.
How Does It All Work?
You’re probably wondering how this all works.
The device listed here, and most other cheap breathalyzers, cannot tell the difference between alcohol or acetone (ketone). The reason why this occurs is that of the sensor that is used within the device.
There are two different types of sensors housed within breathalyzers:
- Semiconductor Sensor (CHEAP). A semiconductor sensor electronically oxidizes alcohol by using a tin-oxide substance. The measured current is an indication of the amount of alcohol (or acetone) that is being reacted in the individual’s breath.
- Fuel Conductor Sensor (EXPENSIVE – USED BY POLICE). Fuel cell breathalyzers contain two platinum electrodes with a permeable acid-electrolyte material is inserted in between. When exhaled air flows past one side of the fuel cell, the platinum instantly oxidizes the alcohol present in the air and generates acetic acid, electrons, and protons.
BREATHALYSER – https://goo.gl/QEZM5Z (eBay Australia)
If you’re interested in getting a blood ketone meter for free, CLICK HERE.
Why measure ketones?
You’re probably wondering if you should measure ketones. The answer is generally only if you’re looking to target specific aspects of the ketogenic diet benefits. If you’re looking how to measure ketosis, then I’ll provide a list of ketone measurement ranges below.
What Are The Optimal Ketone Levels For A Ketogenic Diet?
I’ll list some of the levels below to make it clear for you:
*Keep in mind that the measurements in acetone would be mmol/L which is the same as the setting that shows you g/100ml of alcohol. The video shows you a more detailed version of this.
Improved Athletic Performance / Weightloss:
Above 0.5mmol/L
Improved Mental Performance:
1.5mmol/L – 3mmol/L
Therapeutic:
3mmol/L – 6mmol/L
Therapeutic ketosis would be to manage the following items:
GOOD SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE
- Epilepsy
- Diabetes mellitus
- Weight loss
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- GERD and heartburn
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
THERE IS ALSO REASONABLE EVIDENCE TO PROVE THE FOLLOWING:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Dementia
- Schizophrenia, bipolar and other mental illnesses
- Narcolepsy and other sleep disorders
- Exercise performance
EMERGING AREAS THAT REQUIRE FURTHER INVESTIGATION
- Cancer
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic pain
- Migraines
- Traumatic brain injury
- Stroke
- Gum disease and tooth decay
- Acne
- Eyesight
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) and Huntington’s disease
- Aging
- Kidney disease
- Restless leg syndrome (RLS)
- Arthritis
- Alopecia and hair loss
- GLUT1 deficiency syndrome
This post contains affiliate links, but all opinions are my own. I may earn money if purchases are made through links (at no additional cost to you) which helps support this site and keep the content free.
Ann says
Hi Aaron, I’ve just tried the 2 links you posted to purchase a breathalyser. The Ebay link comes up with an error and the Amazon one takes me to the USA site and it’s $23 plus postage. Am I doing something wrong?
Thanks!
FatForWeightLoss says
Hi ann, I would purchase the Qetoe device located here https://httpslink.com/0o0f
Susan Bombassei says
I am in a profession that gets random drug/alcohol tests. How can I do the Keto diet and not blow over 0.00? I am told that if we blow over (for any reason) the 0.00 we are instantly fired.
FatForWeightLoss says
If you get random breath tested, they will be using a better sensor (one that detects ethanol, not acetone)
Bailey says
Hi… I’m a little over 2 weekend into my Keto journey and I bought a breath meter… most of the time it reads around 2… but in the evenings it’s around 3… almost into “starvation” mode… I’m concerned that I’m doing something wrong with the eating? I’m really trying to loose weight and reduce inflammation. Thanks!
Ray Podesta says
I blow into my new meter and get all zeros every time. Is it the meter or am I doing something wrong?
Marie Claire says
I get the same……?
Did anyone answer you?
Emkay says
Hi actually you don’t need to remove the batteries to stop the beeping. It’ll will stop automatically after 10 sec. While it is in the beeping mode, pushing the button will scroll the unit of measurement.
Tony says
DISCOVERY – Note that the AT6000 only measures in THREE UNITS – the top one is mg/100ml, the middle one is mg/L and the bottom one is % BAC. THE MEASUREMENT USED FOR KETONE LEVEL IS IN mmol/L. WITH THE CHEAPIE BREATHALYZER, YOU HAVE TO CONVERT YOUR MIDDLE READING (mg/L) to mmol/L. Here’s a link to a website converter – http://www.endmemo.com/medical/unitconvert/Methanol.php
For all this time, I thought I couldn’t get into ketosis. But, come to find out I’m at 1.9032 mmol/L which is pretty good.
Tony says
UPDATE – that cheapie AT6000 was wonderful WHEN IT WORKED. I couldn’t get a reading during the first day of ownership. Then, on Day 2, it started giving readings and I was ecstatic. Now, on Day 3, NOTHING AGAIN.
Melissa Freeman says
I should say I got zeroes yesterday. Then a crazy high reading this morning straight after workout (the alarm). Went to repeat it and got 0. I’m getting a more reliable result from the pee sticks.
Juju says
Thank you so much, Aaron, for sharing this!
This is AWESOME!!!
Best regards from Finland
Nick says
I think for this to work you need to multiply the mg/L (the middle reading on the AT6000) with 1.7212 to get mmol/L.
Annie says
Mine only reads 0 despite being in good ketosis on urine strips. Can’t multiply 0 by much else
Tony says
Annie, I had the same problem when I first got my AT6000 analyzer. On another blog, someone suggested breathe into the analyzer more GENTLY as if trying to fog up a mirror. Another “trick” I came across is DON’T TAKE A DEEP BREATH. I think that dilutes the acetone level in your breath with fresh air. Start with normally filled lungs and GENTLY exhale into the analyzer. When I started doing that, I started getting consistent readings. So far, mine are 0.61 – 0.63.
Tony says
UPDATE – check to see which of the three measurement values your analyzer is set at. By pushing the on/off button after a reading, you can switch between them. I believe the middle one (mg/L) will give you the most decimal places. With that number, go to the website following to CONVERT THAT NUMBER TO mmol/L which is what ketosis levels are measured in. http://www.endmemo.com/medical/unitconvert/Methanol.php
Nick says
“Keep in mind that the measurements in acetone would be mmol/L which is the same as the setting that shows you g/100ml of alcohol.”
According to this website, mmol/L cannot be simply translated to mg/L or mg/100ml:
http://unitslab.com/node/227
Are you sure the AT6000 is reading what you think it is?
Sarah says
Hi Aaron,
I think I got 2 duds.
Been testing the last few days and I’m always between 0.52 – 0.61
I opened the one I was gunna gift and it reads less and needs a lot more breath to function.
The issue is ….. they both WAY off. I blood test once per week (as so expensive for multiple times a day) my reading lately has been 1.8 mmol.
Last night I decided to check blood as I seemed to have dropped ketone levels a great deal from breath test.
Breath reading 0.59
Blood reading 1.9
Unfortunately mine are headed for the bin, unless you can tell me what I might be doing wrong to get such inaccurate readings?
I’ve tried all types of breathing into it but results stay the same.
Warm regards,
Sarah
Tony says
Sarah, there WILL BE a BIG DIFFERENCE between a blood reading and a breath reading. I forget why but a little Internet searching should give you a scientific explanation. You have to use the breath analyzer as a reference tool to see how your ketone (acetone) level changes from day to day. Get a reading when you KNOW that you should be in a real good ketosis state and set that as your guiding (reference) point for future readings.