What Does Ket Mean On A Urine Test?

What does ket trace in urine mean?

Five Things to Know About Ketones If you live with diabetes, you have probably heard that ketones are something to watch out for. That they have something to do with the dreaded diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). But do you really understand what ketones are and why they happen? It’s scary to think about, sure.

This can occur when people with type 1 diabetes don’t take insulin for long periods of time, when insulin pumps fail to deliver insulin and the wearer does not monitor blood sugar, or during serious illness (in type 1 or type 2) when insulin doses are missed or not increased appropriately for the stress of illness.Ketones can happen to anyone with diabetes, but the condition is more common in people with type 1.2) Why are ketones dangerous?

Ketones upset the chemical balance of your blood and, if left untreated, can poison the body. Your body cannot tolerate large amounts of ketones and will try to get rid of them through the urine. Eventually they build up in the blood. The presence of ketones could be a sign that you are experiencing, or will soon develop, (DKA)—a life-threatening medical emergency.3) When should I test for ketones, and how? There are several situations in which it is a good idea to check for ketones, usually every four to six hours.

Your blood sugar is more than 300 mg/dl (or a level recommended by your doctor) You feel nauseated, are vomiting or have abdominal pain You are sick (for example, with a cold or flu) You feel tired all the time You are thirsty or have a very dry mouth Your skin is flushed You have a hard time breathing Your breath smells “fruity” You feel confused or “in a fog”

Ketone test strips are available at your pharmacy. They kits are quick and simple to use—though it is important to follow the instructions closely. Always have test strips on hand and check their expiration date. Make sure you understand the directions in advance, and ask your doctor or nurse if you would like a demonstration.

Generally, the test will involve dipping a strip in a urine sample, waiting for it to change color, then comparing your results to a chart on the packaging. The color will estimate the concentration of ketones in your urine. Remember to record your results! 4) When should I call my doctor for this? Talk to your doctor immediately if your urine results show moderate or large amounts of ketones.

This is a sign that your diabetes is out of control, or that you are getting sick. If you are unable to reach your diabetes care team, head for the emergency room or an urgent care facility. Share the notes from your log, as this important data will provide clues as to how to treat you and adjust your diabetes management plan.

Small or trace amounts of ketones may mean that ketone buildup is starting. You should increase your intake of fluids (water is best) and take other steps to get your blood sugar levels in check. You should test again in a few hours. Call your doctor if the levels increase.5) Will exercise help? Exercise is often a good way to bring down high blood sugar—but not when ketones are present.

Never exercise when your urine checks show moderate or large amounts of ketones and your blood sugar is high. It may make your blood sugar level go even higher. : Five Things to Know About Ketones

Should I be worried if I have ketones in my urine?

High levels of ketones in the urine, or ketonuria, is usually a sign of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). The body produces ketones when it burns fat for fuel. DKA is a severe complication of diabetes that can cause fatigue and nausea and may damage vital organs.

Untreated DKA can be fatal. Some people with uncontrolled diabetes may develop DKA with excretion of large amounts of ketones in their urine. People who are fasting or on low carb diets may also eliminate ketones in their urine. Symptoms of DKA vary in severity. However, they can include ongoing nausea, fatigue, or difficulty breathing.

Continue reading for more information on the causes, various risk factors, symptoms, complications, and ways to treat or prevent ketones in the urine. Ketones are most common in people who do not consume enough carbohydrates. The human body uses simple carbohydrates from starchy foods, honey, and certain fruits to produce glucose (blood sugar).

• Glucose serves as the body’s main source of energy.
• When the body does not have enough glucose, or when it does not have sufficient insulin to use the glucose, it begins to use fat for energy instead.
• This results in the production of ketones.
• Etones are essential to maintaining a healthy body.
• In fact, both fat and protein consist mainly of ketones.

People with uncontrolled diabetes require insulin to utilize glucose as energy. If the person does not have enough insulin in their body, they will use fats and protein as their energy source. This process leads to production of ketones and build-up of acid, called DKA.

DKA may also occur in the setting of physical trauma, high levels of stress, infection, heart attack, or stroke. DKA is a potentially life-threatening condition, as well as one of the first signs that a person has diabetes prior to diagnosis. A doctor may test for abnormally high levels of ketones in the urine or blood to check for DKA, as well the first signs that a person has type 1 diabetes.

The most common way to test for ketones is through a urine or a blood test. People who have type 1 diabetes, low blood sugar, or experience other symptoms related to DKA should consider taking a urine test to detect and measure the level of ketones they have.

In a medical facility. Prior to the test, the person should not consume anything for several hours. They must then collect between one and two ounces of urine in a sterile container and provide it to a doctor for testing. At home. For at home testing, a doctor may provide the person with a test strip and urine collection container. The test strip and the container will both have a color chart that indicates the ketone level. Again, the person must not consume anything for several hours before the test.

In both cases, the ketones in urine test will determine whether the level of ketones is small, moderate, or high. Various factors such as gender, age, medical history, existing medication, diet, and activity level may influence this number.

What happens if ketones are positive in urine?

What do my test results mean? – Test results may vary depending on your age, gender, health history, and other things. Your test results may be different depending on the lab used. They may not mean you have a problem. Ask your healthcare provider what your test results mean for you.

What can cause ketones in urine?

Why do I need this test? – You may need this test if you have a high level of blood sugar, which can happen if you have diabetes. People with diabetes often have high ketone levels because they don’t make enough insulin. Or their body doesn’t respond well to insulin, and they can’t use the sugar in the blood for energy.

If you have high blood sugar levels and type 1 or type 2 diabetes, it’s important to check your ketone levels. People without diabetes can also have ketones in the urine if their body is using fat for fuel instead of glucose. This can happen with chronic vomiting, extreme exercise, low-carbohydrate diets (ketogenic or keto diets), or eating disorders.

Checking your ketones is especially important if you have diabetes and:

Your blood sugar goes above 300 mg/dL You abuse alcohol You have diarrhea You stop eating carbohydrates like rice and bread You’re pregnant You’ve been fasting You’ve been vomiting You have an infection

Your healthcare provider may order this test, or have you test yourself, if you:

Urinate frequently Are often quite thirsty Have muscle aches Are tired (fatigued) Have weight loss Have shortness of breath or trouble breathing Have nausea, vomiting, or belly (abdominal) pain Are confused Have a fruity smell to your breath

What infections cause ketones in urine?

Other causes – You can develop ketonuria even if you don’t have diabetes or are on a strict ketogenic diet. Other causes include:

drinking excess alcoholexcessive vomitingpregnancystarvationillness or infectionheart attackemotional or physical traumamedications, such as corticosteroids and diureticsdrug use

Ketonuria may be a sign that you have ketoacidosis or leading to it. The higher your levels of ketones, the more severe the symptoms and the more dangerous it can become. Depending on severity, signs and symptoms can include:

thirstfruity smelling breathdry mouthfatiguenausea or vomitingfrequent urinationconfusion or difficulty focusing

Your doctor may find related signs of ketonuria:

high blood sugarsignificant dehydrationelectrolyte imbalance

Additionally, there may be signs of illnesses such as sepsis, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections that can lead to high ketone levels. Ketonuria is commonly diagnosed through a urine test. Your doctor will also look at your symptoms and medical history. Common tests for ketones in both your urine and your blood include:

finger-stick ketone blood test urine strip test acetone breath test

You may also undergo other tests and scans to look for the cause:

blood electrolytes complete blood count chest X-rayCT scan electrocardiogram blood culture tests for infectionsblood glucose test drug screen

What ketone level is too high?

Checking your blood glucose and ketones – If you have diabetes and have any of the symptoms of DKA, check your blood glucose. If it’s high, test for ketones if you can. If you use a meter to test for ketones in your blood:

under 0.6mmol/L is normal0.6 to 1.5mmol/L is slightly high – test again in 2 hours1.6 to 3mmol/L means you’re at risk of DKA and should speak to your diabetes care team for adviceover 3mmol/L is high and means you may have DKA and should call 999 or go to A&E

If you use strips to test for ketones in your pee, over 2+ is high. This means you may have DKA and should call 999 or go to A&E.

Can high ketones make you sick?

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is life-threatening—learn the warning signs to be prepared for any situation. D KA is no joke, it’s a serious condition that can lead to diabetic coma or even death. DKA is caused by an overload of ketones present in your blood.

When your cells don’t get the glucose they need for energy, your body begins to burn fat for energy, which produces ketones. Ketones are chemicals that the body creates when it breaks down fat to use for energy. The body does this when it doesn’t have enough insulin to use glucose, the body’s normal source of energy.

When ketones build up in the blood, they make it more acidic. They are a warning sign that your diabetes is out of control or that you are getting sick. High levels of ketones can poison the body. When levels get too high, you can develop DKA. DKA may happen to anyone with diabetes, though it is rare in people with type 2.

Thirst or a very dry mouth Frequent urination High blood glucose (blood sugar) levels High levels of ketones in the urine

Then, other symptoms appear:

Constantly feeling tired Dry or flushed skin Nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain. Vomiting can be caused by many illnesses, not just ketoacidosis. If vomiting continues for more than two hours, contact your health care provider. Difficulty breathing Fruity odor on breath A hard time paying attention, or confusion

Warning! DKA is dangerous and serious. If you have any of the above symptoms, contact your health care provider IMMEDIATELY, or go to the nearest emergency room of your local hospital.

Do ketones in urine mean fat loss?

What are Ketones? – Ketones are acidic chemicals made in your liver that are produced when you don’t have enough insulin at any given time.2 Everyone has ketones in the urine, but they’re more prevalent in people with chronic conditions like diabetes that inhibit or restrict your body’s ability to produce insulin,

1. When you don’t have enough insulin, your body burns fat as an energy source instead—which is turned into ketones by your liver,2 After ketones have been created, they’re sent into your bloodstream for your muscles and tissues to use as fuel.2 In most people, ketones don’t pose a problem,
2. However, for people with diabetes, an excess of ketones can be life threatening.

If you have diabetes, talk to your doctor about your ketone levels to better understand how to manage them. What is Ketosis? A lot of people have probably heard about the ketogenic diet, Please keep in mind that this is only safe for people who are not diabetic, and it still needs to be discussed with your doctor.

Ketosis is the physiological state that occurs when your body starts to rely on fat-sources for fuel instead of carbohydrates.3 Many people achieve this through a low-carb, high-fat diet, fasting, or even excessive periods of exercise.3 Again, if you’re considering making any changes to your diet or exercise plan, it’s important to talk to your doctor.

Are Ketones Dangerous? Ketones aren’t dangerous for the average person. However, if you’re diabetic, ketones can be life threatening, To make sure that you stay safe, it’s important to measure your blood glucose levels regularly and go to your doctor for a urinalysis if you’re experiencing any signs or symptoms of excess ketones.

Does dehydration cause ketones in urine?

Having a trace amount of ketones in your urine is normal. You can test at home or at a clinic to determine your ketone levels. If your levels are high, you may want to consider seeing your doctor. Having small amounts of ketones in your urine may not be a cause for concern, especially if you’re following certain types of diets.

1. In fact, a higher-than-average ketone level can be good if that’s your goal.
2. This is especially true for people who may have started eating a ketogenic diet to lose body fat.
3. However, it could signal other issues that might need a closer look, particularly in people who don’t eat a low carbohydrate diet.

And if you live with diabetes, high ketone levels might require medical attention. This article will provide more information about ketone levels, what it means if you have trace amounts of ketones in your urine, and lifestyle or treatment options to discuss with your healthcare team if necessary.

1. Your body makes ketones when it breaks down fat for energy.
2. It’s normal to have a tiny amount of ketones in your urine because your body usually uses glucose instead of fat for fuel.
3. Having larger amounts of ketones in your urine means your body is using a large amount of fat for fuel.
4. This may happen if you’re following a low carb or ketogenic diet, or it may indicate that an undiagnosed condition is interfering with your body’s ability to absorb glucose.

You can check your ketone level with a lab or home urine test. The home tests are not as accurate as other methods, such as blood tests in a lab or doctor’s office. But they can be a helpful gauge, especially if you monitor a condition that affects your glucose levels, such as diabetes.

negative or trace amountssmall amountsmoderate amountslarge amounts

Often, you can determine your particular ketone level by comparing the urine dipstick to a color-coded chart indicating the various levels. You can consult your healthcare team about which level is normal based on your overall health, eating style, and activity level.

a low carb (keto) dietperiods of exercising for too long or too intenselyan extended period of not eating enough foodpregnancyalcohol use disorder diabetes diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) other critical conditions such as heart attack, pancreatitis, trauma, or sepsis

Dehydration can also cause your urine to become more concentrated, leading to a higher ketone measurement. If you’ve been following a low carb or keto diet for a while, your body should adjust to using ketones for fuel and your ketone levels should go back to normal.

1. High levels of ketones in your urine don’t necessarily indicate undiagnosed diabetes,
2. There are several other possible reasons for high ketone levels in your urine.
3. If you’ve received a diabetes diagnosis, talk with your healthcare team about what your ketone levels may mean for your diabetes management.

Many pregnant people have higher-than-usual ketone levels in their urine. However, studies conflict on the specific level of ketones they may have. A 2020 study of 187 pregnant women with overweight or obesity found that 22% had ketones in their urine at 16 or 28 weeks gestation.

That number shrank to 8% at 36 weeks. If participants had been prescribed urinary testing for another reason, they were more likely to have abnormally high levels of ketones in their urine — this is called ketonuria, It usually indicates a more serious underlying condition such as diabetes or ketoacidosis.

Even trace amounts of ketones have been associated with risks to a developing fetus. More research is needed to clarify the level of risk and how ketones affect it. If you are in ketosis or ketoacidosis, you may have symptoms such as:

fatigue or tirednessfruity-smelling breathloss of appetiteconfusiontrouble breathingabdominal painnausea or vomitinginsomniadifficulty sustaining exercise

If you’re experiencing symptoms, talk with your healthcare team right away. Your symptoms may be part of the ” keto flu ” if you’re following a low carb diet. Having trace amounts of ketones in your urine isn’t unusual. It’s also not usually something to worry about.

Following a low carb diet can cause moderately elevated ketones until your body adjusts. Pregnancy and dehydration can also elevate ketone levels. While it’s fairly normal to have tiny amounts in your urine, higher levels may indicate an underlying health condition. If you have diabetes, high ketone levels may mean you need help to better manage your blood sugar levels.

Talk with your healthcare team about what conditions you may have and whether you need further testing.

Can ketones be high with normal blood sugar?

Introduction – Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening complication of diabetes mellitus that mainly occurs in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus but also in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. DKA is a complicated metabolic disorder characterized by ketoacidosis, marked hyperglycemia (>250 mg/dL), and anion gap metabolic acidosis which is induced as a result of a significant deficiency of insulin and rise in counter regulatory hormones. In some instances, it does occur in the presence of normal glucose levels. This latter form of DKA is known as euglycemic DKA, which is defined as ketoacidosis with blood glucose levels below 250 mg/dL.1 Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors like canagliflozin were approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) back in 2013 to improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Recent studies 1 suggest that canagliflozin is not so infrequently associated with increased incidence of euglycemic DKA in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. We present a rare case of euglycemic DKA in a 40-year-old female secondary to canagliflozin use. All findings were consistent with canagliflozin-induced DKA.

What are the symptoms of ketones?

Possible complications of the treatments – Treatment complications include:

Low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia. Insulin allows sugar to enter cells. This causes the blood sugar level to drop. If the blood sugar level drops too quickly, the drop can lead to low blood sugar. Low potassium, also known as hypokalemia. The fluids and insulin used to treat diabetic ketoacidosis can cause the potassium level to drop too low. A low potassium level can affect the heart, muscles and nerves. To avoid this, potassium and other minerals are usually given with fluid replacement as part of the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis. Swelling in the brain, also known as cerebral edema. Adjusting the blood sugar level too quickly can cause the brain to swell. This appears to be more common in children, especially those with newly diagnosed diabetes.

Untreated, diabetic ketoacidosis can lead to loss of consciousness and, eventually, death. There are many ways to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis and other diabetes complications.

Manage your diabetes. Make healthy eating and physical activity part of your daily routine. Take diabetes medicines or insulin as directed. Monitor your blood sugar level. You might need to check and record your blood sugar level at least 3 to 4 times a day, or more often if you’re ill or stressed. Careful monitoring is the only way to make sure that your blood sugar level stays within your target range. Adjust your insulin dosage as needed. Talk to your health care provider or diabetes educator about how to make your insulin dosage work for you. Consider factors such as your blood sugar level, what you eat, how active you are, and whether you’re ill. If your blood sugar level begins to rise, follow your diabetes treatment plan to return your blood sugar level to your target range. Check your ketone level. When you’re ill or stressed, test your urine for excess ketones with a urine ketones test kit. You can buy test kits at a drugstore. If your ketone level is moderate or high, contact your health care provider right away or seek emergency care. If you have low levels of ketones, you may need to take more insulin. Be prepared to act quickly. If you think you have diabetic ketoacidosis because your blood sugar is high and you have too many ketones in your urine, seek emergency care.

Diabetes complications are scary. But don’t let fear keep you from taking good care of yourself. Follow your diabetes treatment plan carefully. Ask your diabetes treatment team for help when you need it.

Does ketones in urine mean UTI?

Can a UTI cause trace ketones in urine? – Ketones can appear in your urine for many reasons. Infections are one cause, and urinary tract infections (UTIs) in particular may cause a spike in your urine ketone level.

When should ketones be checked?

When should I check for ketones? Anytime your blood glucose is over 250 mg/dl for two tests in a row. When you are ill. Often illness, infections, or injuries will cause sudden high blood glucose and this is an especially important time to check for ketones.

Can ketones in urine cause kidney stones?

2. Keto Can Put Stress on the Kidneys and May Give You Kidney Stones – Kidney stones are a well-noted potential side effect of the ketogenic diet. Past research observed that among children following the keto diet as a treatment for epilepsy, 13 out of 195 subjects developed kidney stones,

Children supplementing with potassium citrate in the study noticed a decreased likelihood of kidney stones. Speak with your healthcare practitioner about supplementing if kidney stones are a concern. “If you’re going to do keto, there’s a better and a worse way to do it,” says Yawitz. “Loading your plate with meats, and especially processed meats, may increase your risk of kidney stones and gout,” which is a painful type of arthritis.

“High intake of animal proteins makes your urine more acidic and increases calcium and uric acid levels. This combination makes you more susceptible to kidney stones, while high uric acid can increase your risk of gout,” adds Yawitz. And the ketogenic diet can be dangerous for people with kidney disease, as people with kidney disease need to follow an individualized diet prescribed by their doctor.

How do I know if I have ketones in my urine?

How the Test is Performed – Urine ketones are usually measured as a “spot test.” This is available in a test kit that you can buy at a drug store. The kit contains dipsticks coated with chemicals that react with ketone bodies. A dipstick is dipped in the urine sample.

A color change indicates the presence of ketones. This article describes the ketone urine test that involves sending collected urine to a lab. A clean-catch urine sample is needed. The clean-catch method is used to prevent germs from the penis or vagina from getting into a urine sample. To collect your urine, the health care provider may give you a special clean-catch kit that contains a cleansing solution and sterile wipes.

Follow instructions exactly.

What is a good ketone number?

The optimal ketone range for weight loss 0.5 – 3 millimoles per liter. To achieve this, carb intake needs to be dramatically reduced. On the low carb, high fat keto diet, your body enters ketosis, a state in which you burn fat as your main source of fuel rather than carbs.

• For many people, being in ketosis can help improve blood sugar levels, reduce appetite, and help maintain muscle mass — all of which may contribute to weight loss ( 1 ).
• However, you may wonder whether there’s a target ketone level at which you can lose the most weight.
• This article reviews the ideal ketone levels for weight loss and how to achieve and measure them.

After starting the keto diet, it takes your body a few days to burn through its carbs, which are stored as glycogen in your liver and muscles. Once these carb stores are gone, you’ll switch to producing ketones from either dietary fat or stored body fat to burn as energy ( 2 ).

1. At that point, you may have detectable levels of ketones in your blood.
2. Blood ketone levels while on the keto diet typically range from 0.5 – 3.0 millimoles per liter (mmol/L) ( 1 ).
3. These levels are the optimal range for nutritional ketosis — the state in which your body can use stored fat for energy most effectively, helping boost weight and fat loss ( 1 ).

Note that there’s a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis, It only occurs in people with diabetes and is characterized by extremely high levels of blood ketones alongside extremely high blood sugar levels ( 1 ). However, the blood ketone levels seen in ketoacidosis are typically 10–15 times higher than those of nutritional ketosis.

Also, ketoacidosis is often accompanied by severe symptoms, whereas nutritional ketosis is safe for most people ( 1 ). Summary Optimal blood ketone ranges for nutritional ketosis are 0.5 – 3 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). Nutritional ketosis is safe for most people and should not be confused with ketoacidosis, a severe complication of diabetes.

To achieve optimal ketone levels, you must restrict your carb intake. Most people on the keto diet restrict their carb intake to less than 50 grams of total carbs — or 25 grams of net carbs — per day ( 1 ). Net carbs refer to the total number of carbs minus the amount of fiber.

1. Your body will not start to produce ketones on its own until it burns through your glycogen stores, which it will not do unless you cut off its supply of dietary carbs ( 2 ).
2. Once you shift into ketosis, your body can produce ketones for energy from either dietary fat or stored body fat ( 2 ).
3. You can also purchase ketone supplements, known as exogenous ketones, which will raise your ketone levels even if you’re still eating high amounts of carbs.

These supplements have shown some benefits for athletes, but it’s unclear whether they aid weight loss ( 3, 4 ). They may help reduce appetite, which can promote weight loss, but one goal of entering ketosis for weight loss is to burn your stored body fat rather than supplemental ketones.

1. More research is needed to explore whether ketone supplements help or hinder weight loss ( 5 ).
2. Summary To enter nutritional ketosis, you must drastically restrict your carb intake.
3. Although you can raise your ketone level by using ketone supplements while still eating high amounts of carbs, this may not be helpful for weight loss.

The most reliable way to measure your ketone levels is to use a blood ketone meter. These devices work similarly to blood sugar meters, as you use a lancet and a blood testing strip to collect a small blood sample from your fingertip, which the device then reads.

• Although your body produces three types of ketones, most blood ketone meters check for beta-hydroxybutyrate, which is the most prevalent type ( 6 ).
• There’s some disagreement among researchers about the best time of day to test ketone levels.
• You should pick a time and consistently test at that time to get the most accurate readings.

When you last ate appears to be a major contributing factor to your ketone levels, so you may want to do your ketone testing 3 hours after eating a meal ( 7 ).

How many ketones in urine is OK?

Ketone levels in your urine and what they mean Normal level: A ketone level at or below 0.6 millimoles per liter (mmol/L) in your urine or blood is considered a normal amount or trace amount.

Is 1+ ketones in urine bad?

Ketones in urine test measures ketone levels in your urine.Your body uses glucose (sugar) from your blood for energy. If cells can’t get enough glucose, it will start breaking down fat for energy instead. This breakdown of fat for energy produces an acid called ketones, which can build up in your urine and blood.

Having some ketones in your urine is normal. However, high ketone levels in urine may be a sign of too much acid in your body (ketoacidosis). The most common and life-threatening type of ketoacidosis is a complication of diabetes called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). If left untreated DKA can cause damage to organs and even death.

This is why it is important to know the signs of ketonuria and when to check your ketone levels with a urine or blood test. This article explains the signs and symptoms of ketones in urine. It will also discuss what conditions can trigger ketonuria, possible complications, and when to seek emergency care for ketoacidosis.

Do ketones indicate kidney damage?

Highlights –

• Ketones support kidney energy metabolism and are renoprotective. • Exogenous ketones protect from acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. • Exogenous ketones reduce renal oxidative stress, inflammation, cell death, and fibrosis. • Ketones mediate the beneficial of the SGLT2 inhibitors in the kidney. • Nutritional ketosis is a potential strategy for the management of kidney disease.

Is 15 ketones in urine bad?

Urine Ketones: Meanings and False Positives | Doctor Ketones are produced normally by the liver as part of fatty acid metabolism. In normal states these ketones will be completely metabolised so that very few, if any at all, will appear in the urine. If for any reason the body cannot get enough glucose for energy it will switch to using body fats, resulting in an increase in ketone production making them detectable in the blood and urine.

• GlucoRx KetoRx Sticks 2GK®.
• Ketostix®.

Testing should be performed according to manufacturers’ instructions. The sample should be fresh and uncontaminated. Usually the result will be expressed as negative or positive (graded 1 to 4). Ketonuria is different from ketonaemia (ie presence of ketones in the blood) and often ketonuria does not indicate clinically significant ketonaemia.

• The reading is an average of urine ketone concentration since last passing urine. This may lead to delayed management of ketoacidosis.
• Collection of the urine sample may be delayed because of dehydration.
• Urine testing has lower sensitivity and specificity.
• Urine testing only measures acetoacetic acid and not beta-hydroxybutyrate (the predominant ketone in diabetic ketoacidosis).

Therefore the most accurate way of testing for ketones is to use a meter that measures blood ketone levels. Blood glucose meters that are also able to test blood ketone levels in addition to blood glucose levels include Abbott – FreeStyle Optium Neo, and Menarini – GlucoMen LX Plus.