The GKI combines your blood glucose and blood ketones into a single number. It is mainly used for therapeutic keto, and it needs a blood meter, not breath or urine strips.
| GKI | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Under 1 | Deepest ketosis, used in medical/therapeutic protocols under supervision. |
| 1 to 3 | High therapeutic ketosis. |
| 3 to 6 | Moderate ketosis, a common target for weight loss and metabolic health. |
| 6 to 9 | Low level ketosis. |
| Over 9 | Not meaningfully in ketosis. |
GKI = blood glucose (mmol/L) ÷ blood ketones (mmol/L). Glucose in mg/dL is converted by dividing by 18. A lower GKI means a deeper state of ketosis. Most people doing keto for weight loss or general health do not need to chase a low GKI at all; the index matters most for therapeutic uses such as certain neurological or metabolic protocols, which should be done with medical guidance. This is general information, not medical advice.