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Do I need to know about ketones?

N

nancyb

Well-Known Member
Messages
136
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi
I am a recently diagnosed type 2, following a low carb diet and not on any medication yet. I'm not sure if I understand what ketones are. Do I need to know, or is it something that only those on insulin need to be aware of. I realise I could look it up somewhere, but I'm suffering from information overload at the moment and you guys could probably explain it to me better!
Thanks
 
In a word, no, you don't need to know.
I remember puzzling over the subject myself, when my husband was at the same stage and coming to the conclusion, that, interesting as the subject is, it didn't need to concern us at a time which was quite confusing enough. But, liking to check, I did ask a specialist diabetes doctor and he also said no, not our problem. He was aware that James (and I) were and still are on a very low carb diet.
Sally
 
ketones are from burning fat,
low carb diet, the body has to burn fat to work..good
T1 with no insulin can't use the carbs for fuel, so it has to burn fat and builds to toxic levels with high BG...bad
 
jack412 said:
ketones are from burning fat,
low carb diet, the body has to burn fat to work..good
T1 with no insulin can't use the carbs for fuel, so it has to burn fat and builds to toxic levels with high BG...bad
Click to expand...

Thanks Jack - a quick and simple explanation, just what I needed
 
The other point about Ketones is that Insulin controls the process of release of them into the body. As a type 2 you still have insulin to manage this. As a type 1, we don't, so our levels of ketones can reach dangerously high levels which result in Diabetic Ketoacidosis. Which isn't very much fun.
 
To add to the other posts, ketones are produced from fat burning and it's called ketosis and is not in itself a problem. If you have ketones present and also very high blood sugar e.g. when a T1 hasn't taken insulin then you can have ketoacidosis (DKA) which is when the blood becomes acidic and is very dangerous.
 
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