How can ketones be avoided

Ketonuria is most common in individuals who have diabetes, particularly type 1 diabetes mellitus. It can also occur in women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. If ketone levels rise too high for too long, your blood becomes acidic. This can harm your health. Ketonuria is a sign that your body is primarily using fats and protein for fuel.

This is called ketosis. Most of the energy your body uses comes from sugar or glucose. This is normally from the carbohydrates you eat or from stored sugars. Insulin is a vital hormone that transports sugar into every cell, including your muscles, heart, and brain.

People with diabetes may not have enough insulin or be able to use it properly. It must find another power source. Body fats and proteins are broken down for energy, producing ketones as a waste product.

When too many ketones pile up in your bloodstream, a condition called ketoacidosis or diabetic ketoacidosis can occur. This is a life-threatening condition that makes your blood acidic and can harm your organs. Ketonuria usually happens along with ketoacidosis. As ketone levels rise in your blood, your kidneys try to get rid of them through urine. If you have diabetes and have developed ketonuria, you likely also have high blood sugar levels, or hyperglycemia.

Other causes include:. 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:. 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. The American Diabetes Association advises checking your ketone levels if you have diabetes, particularly when your blood sugar is more than milligrams per deciliter. You can test for ketones with a simple urine test strip.

Some home blood glucose monitors also measure blood ketones. Having ketones can indicate that your body needs more insulin. Always monitor your blood sugar levels to know how much insulin you need. Signs of DKA include moderate or large ketones, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fruity or acetone think nail polish remover breath, rapid breathing, flushed skin, and lack of energy. If left untreated, it can lead to a serious and life-threatening diabetic coma or death. You should be checked anytime your blood sugar is above This includes any minor illness such as a cold.

There are a few different ways to check for ketones, and there are positives and negatives for each method. The most reliable way of checking for ketones is by using blood ketone meters , which measure BHB the primary ketone found when in DKA. The actual way that one uses a ketone meter is exactly like a blood glucose meter, since you are using a blood sample. You can find these meters at Walmart or Amazon.

You can also use breath ketone meters to measure acetone, a type of ketone that is found in breath. This method is convenient and only requires a one time purchase of a breath ketone meter. This might be economical if you are expecting to be regularly checking for ketones. Another, less reliable, way to check for ketones is by using ketone strips , which use a urine sample to measure a particular ketone released through urine.

These strips are very cheap, and cost about a quarter each. However, they are not as accurate as a blood ketone meter because it takes longer for ketones to reach urine and hydration can also effect results. 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, diabetic ketoacidosis DKA —a life-threatening medical emergency.

There are several situations in which it is a good idea to check for ketones, usually every four to six hours. Talk to your doctor to know what makes the most sense for you and your diabetes management plan. 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.

In one study of hospital admissions for DKA, 27 percent of people admitted for the condition had a new diagnosis of diabetes. A low-carbohydrate diet can trigger ketosis. That is because a low-carb diet will cause you to have less glucose in your blood, which will, in turn, cause your body to burn fat for energy instead of relying on sugars.

Poor diabetes management is a leading trigger for DKA. In people with diabetes, missing one or more insulin dose, or not using the right amount of insulin, can lead to DKA. An illness or infection, as well as some drugs, can also prevent your body from using insulin properly. This can lead to DKA. For example, pneumonia and urinary tract infections are common DKA triggers.

Having a diet low in carbohydrates is a risk factor for ketosis. This may be purposeful, for instance, as a weight-loss strategy. People on restrictive diets or people with an eating disorder may be at a higher risk for ketosis. Type 1 diabetes is the main risk factor for DKA. In one study of people with DKA, researchers found that 47 percent had known type 1 diabetes, 26 percent had known type 2 diabetes , and 27 percent had newly diagnosed diabetes.

If you have diabetes, a main risk factor for DKA is not following the routine for blood sugar management that your doctor recommends. Researchers looked at diabetes in children and teenagers. They found that one in four participants had DKA when their doctor first diagnosed them with diabetes. Additional risk factors include:. You can get a simple blood test to detect the level of ketones in your blood.

You can use the level of ketones to determine if you have ketosis or DKA. You may also be able to take a urine test at home.

It will change colors based on the level of ketones in your urine. Blood ketone tests are the ideal method for diabetics to check ketone levels because they measure the levels of beta-hydroxybutyric acid, the primary ketone involved in ketoacidosis.