DKA & feeling unwell

slipgate said:

I can't offer any advice, but as a relatively newly diagnosed T1, is there a certain level where one becomes DKA? I know being above 9 isn't great, but I'm guessing it's not that simple. Part of my confusion is that when I was diagnosed 18 months ago, my ketones were 5.5, which apparently is really bad, but I didn't feel unwell at all, just a bit tired (but with the thirsty and weight loss symptoms too I might add!). However, I've never quite had an answer of at what point, or period of time, high levels can cause major issues.

Also, on a minor level, does anyone know how I can reply to the FB posts directly? I joined the FB group but I can only ever view or share the posts, I can't comment on them.

Click to expand...

@slipgate, I have been told by my diabetes team that if my BG is 12 or more and I cannot get this down I should start to test for keytones. I have a meter that does BG and keytones but you can use also use ketosticks. If you are 0.6 (++ on ketosticks) for three tests with a small gap apart you should seek advice or go to A&E. Also note that keytones meters are about 3 hours quicker than the results from a urine test.

I would also recommend that you back in this post for the sick days rules mentioned as they are good to follow too! Here is the NHS suggestion on how to prevent DKA. http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/diabetic-ketoacidosis/Pages/Prevention.aspx

Hey .
I was diagnosed with Type One at the end of June and the only reason I found out was because of DKA. I went to the docs thinking my tonsillitis had returned and I explained the added symptoms I was getting which were a bit odd. Dry mouth, thirst, peeing a lot, horrible tummy pain. But he dismissed them and sent me away saying I should take pain killers and come back if its any worse. That was Monday. Friday evening things took a turn for the worst. I couldn't keep anything down, kept bumping into things - felt like I was drunk, couldn't control my bladder, had a weird sensation in my stomach like a burning ball of acid going up to my throat. Later on I started hyperventilating and almost lost consciousness but was desperately tryna keep myself awake. Id phoned mother and asked her to take me to a & e, as soon as she arrived she phoned an ambulance.
From a & e I was then transferred to ICU overnight where I had tubes everywhere, 6 bags of fluid, insulin, potassium and god knows what else above my head. It was only Saturday afternoon in SSMU that they told me I had a really high level of ketones which was dangerous that I needed to flush out of my system. I think I heard the word '7' along the line somewhere. I was only in hospital 4 days thankfully.

I'm very lucky to still be here. I was on my own friday. At first i just thought it was a bug going around but later on I felt something weren't right...

I have good and bad days but don't we all.

birdy21/05 said:

Hi,

Any idea what causes your erratic readings?
This is my 3rd admission in 14 yrs with DKA, each one worse than the previous. There has been no rhyme or reason to any of the admissions. The problem I have had is that the underlying reasoning is never investigated. Every time it has been implied that it must be of my own doing which I find upsetting and quite insulting.
Anyway, will see what my team say when they get back to me. I am really trying to avoid another admission.

Birdy

Click to expand...

Hi r u taking pain killers. I took/take 2 times naproxen and my bs went hypo then up and I'm type 2 on Gliclazide.

I'm type 1, diagnosed May 2015. Well it actually says type 2 on the Doctor's form but I've a badly damaged pancreas (chronic pancreatitis). Anyway, I'm insulin dependent. When diagnosed 05/15 I had HbA1c = 17%. Last week at 9.8%

But my question is....should I be testing my ketone levels? Do other type 1's? My BS levels tend to shift about a bit, usually on the high side of 10 at the moment as I've had 6 hypo's in the last 3 weeks, including hallucinating at under 6.

Any practical advice gratefully accepted. Thanks.

I'm type 1, diagnosed May 2015. Well it actually says type 2 on the Doctor's form but I've a badly damaged pancreas (chronic pancreatitis). Anyway, I'm insulin dependent. When diagnosed 05/15 I had HbA1c = 17%. Last week at 9.8%

But my question is....should I be testing my ketone levels? Do other type 1's? My BS levels tend to shift about a bit, usually on the high side of 10 at the moment as I've had 6 hypo's in the last 3 weeks, including hallucinating at under 6.

Any practical advice gratefully accepted. Thanks.

Ewb10 said:

Hi @sean1964, I have since spoken to a specialist and been advised that standard advice is ketones can be present in your system at any reading above 12mmol so to test at that time.
Having hypo symptoms under 6mmol would indicate that you're levels are running higher - do you test regularly?

Click to expand...

Very belated thanks, guess I'll start testing for ketones when >12 then.
Very belatedly.......