Ketone: The human body essentially runs on glucose, If your body is low on glucose, your body starts breaking down fats for energy. Ketones (chemically recognized as ketone bodies) are by-products of the breakdown of fatty acids. This really happens if you have diabetes and don’t have enough insulin to help your cells absorb the glucose. It also happens when you take a low carbs diet, known as the ketogenic diet.
The breakdown of fat for fuel and the production of ketones is a normal process for everyone. In a person without diabetes, glucagon, insulin, and other hormones limit ketone levels in the blood from becoming too high. Though, people with diabetes are at chance for ketone buildup in their blood. If left untreated, people with type 1 diabetes are a chance for a condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). It’s also possible for people with type 2 diabetes to experience DKA in certain situations as well.
Symptoms of Ketone Buildup
Symptoms that having too many ketones in your body can cause. These include:
- Dry mouth
- Blood sugar levels greater than 24.0 mmol/L
- Frequent urination
- Extreme fatigue
- Confusion
- Flushed skin
- Nausea
- Fruity breath odor
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Trouble in breathing
Ketone Level in Blood
Serum Ketone Level
- Serum Ketone less than 0.6 = normal
- Serum Ketone within 0.6 – 1.0 = slightly high
- Serum Ketone within 1.0 – 3.0 = moderately high
- Serum Ketone Higher than 3.0 = very high
Ketone Level in Urine
The urine test for ketones is performed using test strips available on prescription. Collect your urine in a clean container and put a test strip in it. The strip changes color as it reacts with the ketones.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis: Symptoms,Causes,Treatment & Prevention
