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Ketone prone T1

J

JConnor

Well-Known Member
Messages
106
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Was just wondering if there was any other ketone prone T1's on here? From research I've done ketone prone is often used for T2's.


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Hi. I've never seen the term 'ketone prone' before? Perhaps there is a specific medical condition/term for that. I guess advanced uncontrolled T2s are very ketone prone as their sugar can go very high and also be in ketosis. T1s are less likely unless they don't use their insulin properly?
 
I would have said all T1s are potentially ketone prone. (the definition of T1 from the WHO says Type 1 encompasses the majority of cases which are primarily due to pancreatic islet beta-cell destruction and are prone to ketoacidosis )
It's a lack of sufficient insulin that leads to DKA . Children tend to develop ketones more quickly than adults, so I suppose that some adults may have ketones develop more quickly than others. (maybe dependent on the amount of insulin that people still make, it seems that most T1s do still make small amounts)

Ketosis prone T2 is a very specific condition where the lack of insulin is only transitory so the person gets DKA and is put on insulin but then the need for insulin goes away and the person is no longer dependent on it. The temporary lack of insulin can happen several times over the years Initially it was found mostly in Americans of African descent but now there are cases reported in people of several other ethnic backgrounds
http://ketosisprone.blogspot.fr/p/blog-page_1355.html
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Thanks for replies, my Dsn describes me as ketone prone despite my very best efforts I have had full DKA 7 times in 12 months and borderline 3 times, sometimes through illness and with high blood sugars but 3 times with very normal blood sugars. I went to routine appointment Friday bm's normal but ketonic. I do everything right. No one understands except Dsn. Am treated like im not controlling it and is my fault. Was hoping to chat to someone who suffers similar as am so depressed now.


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Interesting. I've not seen any other posts with a similar problem so sadly there may only be a few others who share the same problem and can add something.
 
Can you think of anything unusual in the 24 hrs running up to these episodes? Do you keep records of meals/meds etc?
 
Just thinking out of the top of my head (might not be any help, if not sorry)
Do you have a ketone meter at home? If not perhaps you could talk to your nurse about it.
If you were able to test for ketones at the first signs of illness ( or perhaps even on a regular basis?) then with the help of your nurse you could devise an action plan to try to prevent low levels of ketones developing into DKA. (ie drinking fluids, taking extra insulin compensating with sugary fluids if your levels are low)
A cheaper alternative would be to use ketone urine strips daily, following up with blood ketone strips if necessary. Indeed I use a pump and when I first went on it the consultant wanted me to test every morning as mistakes with the pump can mean being without insulin for several hours.
 
As a low-carber I am usually in mild ketosis. 0.5 - 1.5 and I keep an eye on it with (urine) Ketostix and only use blood meter ketone sticks if it goes any higher.
 
I tend to show ketones fairly quickly too. Slight cold or an infection with slightly higher numbers and I have ketones on my meter of anything up to 1.2 I have had ketones of 3.6 when I went to A&E twice. They kept me in on one occasion and put me on sliding scale as they went over 4.6 and I was being sick. This was early days of pumping when I was a bit less confident of what action to take. If I have ketones now and one pump correction doesn't work, I use my novo rapid pens and drink plenty of water. This has worked last few times.
The worry is ketones have appeared when I'm feeling ok too which is what the DSN doesn't understand and she also says I am 'prone to ketones' but doesn't know why (not as bad as you though - sounds grim). As others have said, ensure you have a ketone meter and by acting quickly there is a much better chance of getting rid of them yourself. I hate the **** things and they are the big downside of being on pump for me as they can develop far more rapidly as there is no basal in your body.
 
Thanks everyone got replies. I have decided to start checking daily for ketones as standard. I have blood ketone monitor and GP allows as many prescriptions as I want (**** lucky). I'm so worried about not being around to see my children grow up knowing the risks of DKA. I have recently been diagnosed with pcos (advised to lose weight despite weighing 8stone) and am currently being investigated for copd at the tender age of 25. None of this helps diabetes. Another day of ketones today though thankfully only 1.2 on monitor so drank and drank but left feeling more alone and confused than ever. None of the 'experts' seems to know what to do with me, personally thinking a field and shotgun may be best.


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