GKI Calculator: Glucose Ketone Index
A GKI below 1.0 indicates therapeutic ketosis (used in cancer/epilepsy research). GKI of 1-3 means high ketosis. GKI of 3-6 indicates moderate ketosis. GKI of 6-9 is low ketosis. Above 9 = not in ketosis. To calculate: GKI = blood glucose (mmol/L) / blood ketones (mmol/L). Example: glucose 80 mg/dL ...
Calculate Your GKI
Glucose Ketone Index for metabolic health.
Glucose Ketone Index
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GKI Interpretation
| GKI Range | Ketosis Level | Typical Use | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Below 1.0 | Highest therapeutic ketosis | Cancer adjunct therapy, extended fasting | |||
| 1.0 - 3.0 | High ketosis | Therapeutic epilepsy management, fasting | |||
| 3.0 - 6.0 | Moderate ketosis | Weight loss, general metabolic health | |||
| 6.0 - 9.0 | Low ketosis | Nutritional ketosis, keto diet | |||
| Above 9.0 | Not in ketosis | Standard diet | How to MeasureBlood glucose: Use any standard blood glucose meter. Measure in the morning, fasting, for consistency. Record in mg/dL (US) or mmol/L (international). Blood ketones: Use a ketone blood meter (measures beta-hydroxybutyrate). Finger-stick, similar to glucose testing. Urine strips are NOT accurate for GKI — they measure acetoacetate, not BHB. Glucose Unit Conversion | mg/dL | mmol/L |
| 70 | 3.9 | ||||
| 80 | 4.4 | ||||
| 90 | 5.0 | ||||
| 100 | 5.6 | ||||
| 110 | 6.1 | ||||
| 120 | 6.7 |
Conversion: mmol/L = mg/dL / 18.016
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Glucose Ketone Index?
GKI is a ratio of blood glucose (in mmol/L) to blood ketones (beta-hydroxybutyrate in mmol/L). It was developed by Dr. Thomas Seyfried as a biomarker for therapeutic ketosis in cancer research. GKI provides a more complete picture of your metabolic state than either glucose or ketones alone. Lower GKI indicates deeper ketosis and greater metabolic shift from glucose to ketone fuel.
What GKI should I aim for?
It depends on your goal. For therapeutic purposes (epilepsy, cancer adjunct): GKI below 2.0. For weight loss and metabolic health: GKI 3.0-6.0 is effective. For general nutritional ketosis: GKI 6.0-9.0 is sufficient. Most people on a standard ketogenic diet will naturally achieve GKI of 3.0-9.0 without extreme measures.
How do I lower my GKI?
Lower GKI by: (1) Reducing carbohydrate intake further (under 20g net carbs), (2) Extending fasting periods (18:6 or 24h fasts), (3) Increasing physical activity (depletes glycogen), (4) Reducing protein slightly (very high protein can raise glucose), (5) Managing stress (cortisol raises glucose), (6) Improving sleep quality. Therapeutic GKI levels (below 2.0) typically require extended fasting or very strict dietary protocols.
Do I need a special meter to measure GKI?
You need two measurements: blood glucose (any standard glucometer) and blood ketones (a BHB ketone meter). Popular combined meters include the Keto-Mojo, which tests both glucose and ketones from a finger prick. Urine ketone strips are NOT suitable for GKI calculation — they measure a different ketone body (acetoacetate) and become less accurate as you become fat-adapted.
Is GKI relevant for cancer treatment?
GKI is a research biomarker, not an approved cancer treatment. Dr. Seyfried's metabolic theory of cancer proposes that cancer cells are more dependent on glucose than normal cells, and that therapeutic ketosis (GKI below 2.0) may inhibit tumor growth. Some clinical trials are investigating this. GKI monitoring should NEVER replace conventional cancer treatment. Always follow your oncologist's guidance.