Ketones what is it

A ketones in blood test measures the level of ketones in your blood. Ketones are substances that your body makes if your cells don't get enough glucose blood sugar. Glucose is your body's main source of energy. Ketones can show up in blood or urine. High ketone levels may indicate diabetic ketoacidosis DKA , a complication of diabetes that can lead to a coma or even death.

A ketones in blood test can prompt you to get treatment before a medical emergency occurs. A ketones in blood test is mostly used to check for diabetic ketoacidosis DKA in people with diabetes. DKA can affect anyone with diabetes, but it is most common for people with type 1 diabetes.

If you have type 1 diabetes , your body does not make any insulin, the hormone that controls the amount of glucose in your blood. People with type 2 diabetes can make insulin, but their bodies don't use it properly.

You may need a ketones in blood test if you have diabetes and symptoms of DKA. DKA symptoms include:. A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes. You may also be able to use an at-home kit to test for ketones in blood.

While instructions may vary, your kit will include some kind of device for you to prick your finger. You will use this to collect a drop of blood for testing. Read the kit instructions carefully, and talk to your health care provider to make sure you collect and test your blood correctly.

Your health care provider may order a ketones in urine test in addition to or instead of a ketones in blood test to check for diabetic ketoacidosis. For those without diabetes, who want to measure ketones for weight-loss reasons, 0. However, for people with diabetes, ketones can be very dangerous. Your blood becomes more acidic which if not corrected can lead to a coma or death.

This chart explains healthy and dangerous ranges of ketones:. If your levels are low-moderate, call your doctor to discuss these levels to receive further testing. At your visit, your doctor will likely perform a urine or blood test to determine ketone levels and perform a blood sugar test.

For levels greater than 1. Symptoms associated with high ketone levels typically include:. Untreated symptoms could progress to additional and more serious symptoms including:. Diabetic ketoacidosis DKA is a serious complication of diabetes and can be a result of unaddressed ketone levels.

This will cause blood to become acidic. This is a serious and life-threatening issue that can lead to brain swelling, diabetic coma or death. If your levels are too high based on ketone testing, it is important to seek emergency medical treatment.

You will likely have the symptoms listed above and it is possible it could lead to DKA. A medical professional will treat this condition within a hospital.

Ask your health care provider if you need to fast or do any other type of preparation before your test. Your test results may be a specific number or listed as a "small," "moderate," or "large" amount of ketones. Normal results can vary, depending on your on your diet, activity level, and other factors. Because high ketone levels can be dangerous, be sure to talk to your health care provider about what is normal for you and what your results mean.

Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results. Ketone test kits are available at most pharmacies without a prescription. If you are planning to test for ketones at home, ask your health care provider for recommendations on which kit would be best for you.

At-home urine tests are easy to perform and can provide accurate results as long as you carefully follow all instructions. Some people use at-home kits to test for ketones if they are on a ketogenic or "keto" diet. A keto diet is type of weight-loss plan that causes a healthy person's body to make ketones. Be sure to talk to your health care provider before going on a keto diet. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice.

Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Ketones in Urine. What is a ketones in urine test? Other names: ketones urine test, ketone test, urine ketones, ketone bodies. What is it used for? Why do I need a ketones in urine test? These include: Nausea or vomiting Abdominal pain Confusion Trouble breathing Feeling extremely sleepy People with type 1 diabetes are at a higher risk for ketoacidosis.

What happens during a ketones in urine test? The clean catch method generally includes the following steps: Wash your hands. Clean your genital area with a cleansing pad. Men should wipe the tip of their penis.