· CDE Mehandi Sharma
Ketones: What They Are and When to Test
Ketones are what your body produces when it cannot get glucose into cells and burns fat for energy instead. In small amounts they are normal. In large amounts they turn the blood acidic, which is the emergency called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
When to test
- Whenever you are ill, especially with vomiting, stomach pain or fever.
- When your blood glucose is well above your target range.
- Before exercising if your reading is high — exercising with high glucose and no insulin raises the risk.
| Reading | What it means |
|---|---|
| Below 0.6 | Normal |
| 0.6 to 1.5 | Watch closely; contact your team if you are also unwell |
| 1.5 to 3.0 | Risk of DKA — contact your care team straight away |
| Above 3.0 | Medical emergency — get help immediately |
Symptoms of DKA include thirst, passing a lot of urine, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, deep or fast breathing, breath that smells fruity, drowsiness and confusion. Any of these with a high reading needs help the same day.