Glucose-Ketone Index Calculator

Calculate your Glucose-Ketone Index (GKI) to assess your metabolic state and level of ketosis. This ratio helps determine if you're in optimal ketosis for therapeutic or performance benefits.

How to Use This Calculator

Enter your blood glucose level (preferably after fasting)
Enter your blood ketone level (beta-hydroxybutyrate)
Select the unit of measurement for your glucose reading
Click Calculate to see your Glucose-Ketone Index and ketosis level

Formula Used

GKI = (Glucose in mmol/L) ÷ (Ketones in mmol/L)

Where:

Glucose in mmol/L = Blood glucose level converted to mmol/L
Ketones in mmol/L = Blood ketone level in mmol/L (beta-hydroxybutyrate)

Example Calculation

Real-World Scenario:

A person following a ketogenic diet wants to assess their level of ketosis to determine if they're in the optimal range for therapeutic benefits.

Given:

Blood Glucose = 90 mg/dL
Blood Ketone = 1.5 mmol/L
Glucose Unit = mg/dL

Calculation:

First, convert glucose from mg/dL to mmol/L: 90 ÷ 18 = 5.0 mmol/L

Then calculate GKI: 5.0 ÷ 1.5 = 3.33

Result: GKI of 3.33, which indicates moderate ketosis

Why This Calculation Matters

Practical Applications

Monitoring metabolic health and insulin sensitivity
Optimizing ketogenic diet for therapeutic purposes
Tracking progress in managing conditions like epilepsy, type 2 diabetes, or metabolic syndrome

Key Benefits

More accurate assessment than ketone measurement alone
Helps differentiate between different levels of ketosis
Provides insight into metabolic flexibility and efficiency

Common Mistakes & Tips

Ensure you're entering glucose in the correct unit (mg/dL or mmol/L) and ketones in mmol/L. The calculator automatically converts glucose to mmol/L for the calculation, but you must select the correct unit for accurate results.

For most accurate results, take measurements in a fasted state (at least 8 hours after eating). Measurements taken shortly after meals can temporarily elevate glucose levels and skew the GKI calculation.

Frequently Asked Questions

GKI values below 1 indicate deep ketosis, 1-3 indicate therapeutic ketosis, 3-6 indicate moderate ketosis, 6-9 indicate mild ketosis, and above 9 indicates you're not in ketosis. The ideal range depends on your specific health goals.

For general monitoring, measuring once daily in the morning while fasting is sufficient. If you're using ketosis for therapeutic purposes or are new to a ketogenic diet, you might measure more frequently initially to understand how different foods and activities affect your metabolic state.

No, this calculator requires blood ketone measurements. Urine ketone strips measure a different type of ketone (acetoacetate) and don't provide accurate quantitative values needed for the GKI calculation. Blood ketone meters measure beta-hydroxybutyrate, which is the standard for ketosis assessment.

References & Disclaimer

Medical Disclaimer

This calculator is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider before making significant changes to your diet or using this information for medical decision-making.

References

The Glucose Ketone Index Calculator: A Simple Tool to Monitor Therapeutic Efficacy in Metabolic and Neurological Disorders - A detailed explanation of the GKI concept and its applications
Glucose Ketone Index: What Is It and Why Should You Care? - Practical guide to interpreting GKI values
The Glucose Ketone Index in Humans: A Review of the Current State of Knowledge - Comprehensive review of research on GKI

Accuracy Notice

The accuracy of this calculator depends on the precision of your blood glucose and ketone measurements. Factors like hydration, recent exercise, illness, or stress can affect these readings. For best results, use calibrated meters and follow proper testing protocols.

About the Author

Kumaravel Madhavan

Web developer and data researcher creating accurate, easy-to-use calculators across health, finance, education, and construction and more. Works with subject-matter experts to ensure formulas meet trusted standards like WHO, NIH, and ISO.

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