Life & Diabetes Articles
Healthy Coping
What are Ketones?
In diabetes, there is not enough insulin to help your muscles absorb glucose from the blood. And when your muscles are starved for energy they start to "burn" fat. This produces breakdown products called ketones. These are toxic acids. The accumulation of these acids in the body may lead to the condition called ketosis and as it gets more serious, ketoacidosis or DKA.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
- Occurs when excessive levels of ketone accumulate and the body becomes acidotic.
- It is a potentially life-threatening condition.
- ß-Hydroxybutyrate is the predominant ketone associated with DKA.
ß-Hydroxybutyrate: A key to DKA Detection, Better Clinical Decisions
Sick-day management requires increased monitoring of blood glucose and assessment for ketosis. Testing for ß-Hydroxybutyrate is a key to early diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) detection. Blood ketone testing methods are now available for monitoring ketoacidosis.
| Clinically Accurate ß-Hydroxybutyrate Measurements | |
|---|---|
| ß-Hydroxybutyrate Reading | Interpretation |
| 1.6 to 3.0 mmol/L | Readings above 1.5 indicate you may be at risk of developing diabetic ketoacidosis or DKA. Contact your healthcare provider immediately for advice |
| 0.6 to 1.5 mmol/L | Readings between 0.6 and 1.5 may indicate the development of a problem that may require medical assistance. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions. |
| Below 0.6 mmol/L | Readings below 0.6 are in the normal range. |
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