Diabetes and Ketones
Ketones in the blood occurs when the body burns its own fat
The presence of high levels of ketones in the bloodstream is a common complication of diabetes, which if left untreated can lead to ketoacidosis.
Ketones build up when there is insufficient insulin to help fuel the body’s cells.
High levels of ketones are therefore more common in people with type 1 diabetes or people with advanced type 2 diabetes.
If you are suffering from high levels of ketones and seeking medical advice, contact your GP or diabetes healthcare team as soon as possible.
What exactly are ketones, and what do they have to do with diabetes?
Ketones are an acid remaining when the body burns its own fat.
When the body has insufficient insulin, it cannot get glucose from the blood into the body's cells to use as energy and will instead begin to burn fat.
When the body is burning too much fat, it may cause ketones to become present in the bloodstream.
How do I test for ketones?
Ketone testing can be carried out at home. There are several products that test for ketones in the urine as well as blood glucose meters which can test for ketones as well as blood glucose levels.
- Read about testing for ketones
So, my body can’t get enough sugar. Why is this a problem?
Sugar is the primary fuel that the body uses for energy.
Insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas that metabolises blood sugar, is either deficient or non-existent in the blood of diabetes patients. If the body cannot burn sugar, it will burn stored fat, and ketone build up will begin.
When ketone levels become too high, the risk of ketoacidosis is raised, and this emergency condition can lead to coma and even death in serious cases.
This video is about ketones. If you maintain high blood sugars (hyperglycemia) what is happening in the body is that there is sugar in your bloodstream but no insulin to let the sugar into your cells. Insulin, I was taught, was the key to let the energy in.
As your blood sugar levels go up, if you don't use insulin or other medication to intervene, your blood sugars are going to keep going up. You're going to get very dehydrated, thirsty, going to the toilet alot. Under extreme conditions you may vomit and require medical attention.
One of the factors leading to that condition is when ketones start to be created. If the body can't access the sugar in the bloodstream, its emergency response (albeit short term) is to break down fat. You may have seen diets that require people to pretty much get down to a starvation situation so the body breaks down fat.
It's very dangerous. Ketones are not a good thing; you do not want to have them. Extreme build-up of ketones can lead to brain damage - you do not want to go there. You can test for ketones. Just because you have high blood sugar doesn't necessarily mean you'll have ketones. However, the higher the blood sugar and the longer it is sustained - the more likely this situation will build up and ketones will rise.
There is actually a meter - the Optium Xceed which tests for ketones. In the old days, there used to be Diastix where you wee on a stick to get an approximation of a blood sugar reading - there are similar things for testing for ketones in the urine.
You'll probably only need to use ketone testing if you are ill or have sustained blood sugars. All it tells you is whether you have ketones. If you have ketones for more than a few days, you'll need medical advice.
In another video, I talk about ketoacidosis, which is the extreme form of having ketones. It can happen to type 1 or type 2 diabetics. It tends to be a bit faster and more dramatic in type 1 but there are quite specific conditions to do with type 2 diabetes and acidosis.
I am type 2 diabetic, should I be tested for ketones?
As discussed above, all people with type 1 diabetes hould be aware of the effects of ketones.
Generally people with type 2 diabetes are less likely to suffer from high ketones because most people with type 2 will be producing sufficient insulin.
However, people with advanced type 2 diabetes, may not produce enough insulin and could be susceptible to high levels of ketones.
It is essential to know what the symptoms are, and when you should test for ketones.
Finding ketones present in your urine is a sign that the management of your diabetes needs adjusting.
Ketone testing may also be advised pregnant diabetics and women who develop gestational diabetes.
When should I test for ketones, and how will this affect the management of my diabetes?
The following information is of relevance to people who need to take insulin.
Your GP or healthcare team will be able to inform you of the best possible time for you personally to test for ketones. However, it is generally understood that testing should take place when fasting (i.e: when food has not been consumed for eight hours or more) and any of the following occurs:
- Blood sugar is on or above 13.9 mmol/l (250 mg/dl) for two consecutive tests
- When any illness occurs (as even minor illnesses can cause ketones)
- If you vomit or suffer from diarrhoea
- You suffer from depression or stress
- You fall pregnant
If you record high levels of ketones, contact your health team immediately for advice on how best to manage your diabetes.
How does ketone testing work?
The ketone test is simple and involves a dip and read urine test strip. If the colour changes, there are ketones in your urine.
Ketone test strips are available from the Diabetes Shop.
I am diabetic and my ketone test is positive, what should I do?
If the test shows low levels of ketones, under 0.6 mmol/L, you needn’t take any action.
If the test is above 0.6 mmol/L it is advisable to test again within an hour to see if the ketone level is rising.
If you record a ketone level above 1.5 mmol/L you should contact your healthcare team, and explain the situation to them.Should the tests show very small amounts of ketones take the following actions:
- Drink water every hour, and continue testing every three hours.
- If your ketone levels do not fall after two tests contact your healthcare team.
- If the test shows moderate or high ketone numbers then telephone your doctor at once, and drink water.
I think I might have diabetic ketoacidosis, how would I know?
If you are suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis the early signs are likely to include:
- Stomach pains
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Breathlessness
- Breath that smells fruity
In this instance, call your doctor as soon as possible as ketoacidosis is an extremely severe condition.
