Menses Suppresses Ketones

I think that menses suppresses ketone production to some degree! I noticed that the last few days my ketone levels which are normally around 2.9-3.9 mmol/l were lower, more like 1.2-2.9. I thought perhaps it was because I was eating lean meat. But, I was still having plenty of extra fat with it, and my fat/protein intake stayed the same. So that wasn't it!

However, my menses directly coincided with the lower ketone production. I did some internet research, and it does seem to be related in other women's experiences too. I'm not sure what the biological mechanism of that is, but it must be related to estrogen levels and retention of fat versus fat-burning.

So one must eat more fat during menses, or increase fasting, to maintain the same ketone production as non-menses. Something to keep in mind!

Edited to add: It's a few days later, my menses is over, and sure enough, my blood glucose and ketones have returned to normal!

Pasture raised pork side with sea salt flakes