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Advice please re Ketones

Louise M

Louise M

Well-Known Member
Messages
81
Location
Ireland
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
The misinformation out there about diabetes and misunderstanding of difference between Type1 and 2 .
Hi , i have been type1 diabetic for 40 years and never had ketones , For last 15 years my HBA1C has been on target . I have been sick with cold and chest infection since 25 dec. Checked my ketones regularly and even tho i was having high bg , ketones never went above .6 . I was throwing up all day 1jan and still no ketones.
Today checked ketones before lunch and they were 2.6. I thought maybe it was a false reading so did it again 2.3. Rang westdoc and nurse and she tild me to drink lots of water and come to dr at 5. Drank plenty water and ate small dinner despite feeling rotten. As the hours passed it gradually lowered. And its back to .6 now.
Dr said high ketones werent a problem if i was sick and dont usually get them. Still have chest infection and temperature and metally taste in my mouth.
I thought ketones were a very No No for diabetes ? Should i go and see my own gp or diabetes care team ? Sorry for long post
 
Hi @Louise M - ketones are not a problem unless you blood sugars are up in the teens. The risk then is that you don't have enough insulin to clear them and that you are breaking down fat for fuel because you can't use glucose for energy needs. In the absence of sufficient insulin this process can get out of control and lead to ketoacidosis, which would need medical attention if left untreated.

How have your blood sugars been when you had the higher ketones?
 
robert72 said:
Hi @Louise M - ketones are not a problem unless you blood sugars are up in the teens. The risk then is that you don't have enough insulin to clear them and that you are breaking down fat for fuel because you can't use glucose for energy needs. In the absence of sufficient insulin this process can get out of control and lead to ketoacidosis, which would need medical attention if left untreated.

How have your blood sugars been when you had the higher ketones?
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Blood glucose was 17.1 (as ive been sick ) but i have had highs before when i was sick and never got a high ketones reading.
 
It would be worth keeping a close eye on BGs and ketones and seek medical advice if they both go high again. Hope you feel better soon.
 
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