If you or a loved one is managing epilepsy with the ketogenic diet, you’ll know that keeping track of ketone levels is a crucial part of the process. But let’s be honest—those daily finger pricks can be a real pain, especially for children.
Thanks to a breakthrough from Monash University researchers and their international partners, ketone monitoring is a new, pain-free way.
For many Australians living with epilepsy—particularly children with drug-resistant forms—the ketogenic diet can be life-changing, helping to reduce the frequency and severity of seizures.
But the diet only works if ketone levels are kept in the right range, which means regular monitoring. Until now, that’s intended to be frequent finger pricks, which can be distressing for kids and adults alike.
Enter the MX3 LAB, a handheld device developed by MX3 Diagnostics. Instead of drawing blood, you touch a test strip to your tongue for a few seconds, and within half a minute, you get a ketone reading.
The MX3 LAB uses a special test strip to measure ketones in saliva. Ketones are acids produced when the body burns fat for energy instead of carbohydrates, a key process in the ketogenic diet.
By tracking these levels, you can adjust your meals and snacks to keep your body in the optimal state for seizure control.
Dr Neha Kaul, a neuroscience researcher at Monash University, said this new test could be a ‘game changer’ for families.
‘All that’s needed is for the tongue to touch the test strip for just a few seconds, and you can see the results in 30 seconds, without having to endure a painful finger prick test,’ she explained.
‘Being able to manage not only your kids’ diet but also eliminate some of the discomfort of living with the condition is going to really help.’
The research, published in the journal Epilepsia, involved around 40 children (with a median age of just four and a half years) who were starting the ketogenic diet for the first time.
Blood and saliva samples were taken on the first and seventh days of their hospital admission. The results? The saliva test’s ketone readings closely matched those from blood tests, making it a reliable alternative.
Michael Luther, chief executive officer of MX3, summed it up: ‘Nobody likes to give blood. Even a finger prick can be painful, especially when done every day.’
‘The breakthrough biomarker testing system that the MX3 team has developed will significantly improve quality of life for these brave kids who are just interested in leading a normal, pain-free life.’
Why not urine or breath tests?
You might wonder about other non-invasive options, like urine or breath tests. While these are less painful than blood tests, they’re also much less accurate.
On the other hand, the saliva test offers the best of both worlds: it’s easy and non-invasive but still provides reliable results.
While the results are promising, the researchers note that more studies are needed, especially to see how well the test works for infants and for people who have been on the ketogenic diet for a long time.
A telehealth clinical trial, run by Monash University and Alfred Health, is also underway to validate the benefits of saliva tests further. This trial is expected to wrap up in 2027, so stay tuned for more updates.
If you’re caring for a child or grandchild with epilepsy or managing the condition yourself, this new saliva test could make life a lot easier.
No more daily battles over finger pricks—just a quick, painless test that gives you the information you need to keep seizures at bay.
Have you or someone you know tried the ketogenic diet for epilepsy? Would a saliva test make a difference in your daily routine? We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences—share your stories in the comments below!
Also read: This quick test could protect you from Australia’s deadliest hidden threat
