OVERVIEW
What is ketone (blood) lab test?
Ketone is a by-product of fat metabolism in body. And ketones are produced when glucose isn’t available for body cells as source of energy &/or when body is unable to use glucose as fuel source in absence of insulin or not enough insulin. Then fat is used as fuel and when fuel metabolizes it converts into byproduct called ketone whose level increases in blood or urine. In small amount ketone is not harmful but if in high levels it leads to first ketosis & then into ketoacidosis (form of metabolic acidosis). Therefore, this test measures the amount of ketones present in blood.
Why is ketone (blood) lab test done?
The test is done:
- For indicating diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) which is frequently seen with uncontrolled type 1 diabetes (body does not make any insulin i.e. hormone controlling amount of glucose in blood)
- It helps to get immediate treatment before any medical emergency takes place.
- It helps detect high level of ketones in the blood
- If you show symptoms of DKA like excessive thirst, increased urination, nausea/vomiting, dry or flushed skin, shortness of breath, & fruity smell on breath.
- If you are sick or have an infection
- If blood sugar above 240mg/dl, or if you drink too much alcohol & eat less.
- Which time is best for ketone test?
If you check urine ketone daily, then stick with one specific time either in the morning or after several hours of having last meal of the day.
- What is good ketone level for ketosis?
Optimally ketone blood range for nutritional ketosis should be 0.5 to 3.0 mg/dL. Nutritional ketosis is safe for people & not as severe as ketoacidosis
- How much should a person check blood ketone in a day?
Normally there is no set guideline for this. However, if you are following a keto diet & want to measure ketone then test blood ketone for first 2 weeks. This will ensure optimal monitoring & efficacy of the diet. Later, you can change the frequency of ketone test
- What is the purpose of ketone test?
It is very essential part of managing diabetes. Otherwise diabetes makes it difficult for body to regulate its ketone level.
- When a person does keto-diet, does ketone level increases?
Basically, ketosis is normal presence of ketone in blood and it is not harmful. You simply get ketosis when fasting, eating low-carbohydrate diet, or if consumed too much alcohol. Here it is not high enough to cause acidosis.
INTERPRETATION OF THE RESULTS:
Serum or blood ketone results interpret:
- 5 or less mmol/L: This is normal value & means that person doesn’t have high levels of ketone in blood
- 6 to 3.0 mmol/L: For this range, you must recheck again after 2 or 4 hours.
- Over 3.0 mmol/L: This indicates high levels of ketone in blood and patient must have ketoacidosis or other life-threatening condition.
HIGH LEVELS OF KETONE INDICATE:
- DKA
- Uncontrolled blood glucose levels
- Starvation
- Alcoholic ketoacidosis
APART FROM DIABETES, KETONES CAN ALSO BE HIGH IN PEOPLE IF:
- They are on low-carbohydrate diet
- They constantly vomit
- They are alcoholics
- They have eating disorder or are taking treatment for one.
Different ketone bodies can diagnose different conditions like:
- Beta-hydroxybutyrate indicates DKA
- Acetone high levels indicate acetone poisoning with alcohol, nail polish remover or paints.
You get tested for determining the amount of ketone & ketone bodies like acetoacetate, acetone & beta-hydroxybutyrate in blood, and helps diagnose diabetic ketoacidosis or alcoholic ketoacidosis (life-threatening problems).
