Instead of getting energy from carbohydrates or glucose, the body relies on energy from fat.
People with diabetes who have elevated ketones can develop a dangerous condition calleddiabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
Without treatment, this condition is life-threatening.
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Learn more about ketone levels, what they mean, and when to test for them.
Ketones typically develop when blood glucose levels are high.
People with diabetes can develop trace, moderate, and high ketone levels for a variety of reasons.
Moderate and Large
Moderate to large levels of ketones will warrant a call to your medical team.
These are provided so that early intervention can reduce the risk of DKA.
Ask your healthcare professional when and how you should test for ketones.
You should have a sick day management care plan.
In addition, you should have a plan for when to check ketones when your blood sugars are high.
If you are ever in doubt and uncertain what to do, it’s always better to check.
Also, check for ketones when you have any symptoms of DKA.
The meter provides a result.
Experts suggest using a blood ketone meter because it can detect ketones before they show up in the urine.
In addition, results from urine can be skewed due to other circumstances such as dehydration.
However, clinicians acknowledge that blood ketone test strips and meters are more expensive than urine strips.
Call your healthcare provider to see if your insurance covers a blood ketone meter and test strips.
If they do not, ask your physician if urine ketone strips are sufficient.
If you do not have one, confirm you call your diabetes team to create one.
Keep backup supplies, such as extra insulin.
Additionally, all people with diabetes should have a medic alertwhether it be a bracelet or a necklace.
In the event of an emergency, you want people to be able toidentify that you have diabetes.
Exercise is never recommended when you have ketones.
Exercising when you have ketones can cause your blood sugar levels and ketones to go even higher.
see to it you have a way to reach your medical team at any time of day or night.
They will give you instructions on what to do in your specific situation.
In people with diabetes, excessive ketone production can result in a dangerous condition called diabetic ketoacidosis.
This is more common in people with bang out 1 diabetes but can occur in anyone with diabetes.
see to it you receive proper education on ketone management and create a care plan with your medical team.
A Word From Verywell
Detecting and treating ketones early can prevent an emergency.
Understanding when, how, and what to do with your ketone information is important.
Ketones are produced by the liver when there is too little glucose in the body to use for fuel.
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