Ketones

[No1DeadlyPoison]

Hey everyone, I hope you are all doing well! Sorry I haven't been on here for such a long time! I would like some advice from you all.
Long story short, my diabetic nurse told me that it is okay for a type 1 diabetic to have a few ketones. Is this true, as I checked with Google and it said no, I have had a few ketones for about 4 weeks now, they are only a few, but as I have had them for some time, I am just wondering what the hell is going on and the nurse is completely rubbish. I've seen her about 3 times and she is just no help whatsoever, giving me conflicting advice.

Take care everyone
xxx

 

[EllieM]

What do you mean by "a few ketones"?

I have had a few ketones for about 4 weeks now,

And is this a blood or a urine test?

My understanding is that a blood amount of up to 0.6 mmol/L is perfectly normal. (I often run at these levels )

Diabetic ketoacidosis

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a dangerous complication of diabetes caused by a lack of insulin in the body.

111.wales.nhs.uk

Having said that, my googling suggests that up to 3mmol/L is normal for people in dietary ketosis,

Whatâs the Ideal Ketosis Level for Weight Loss?

On the low carb, high fat keto diet, your body enters a state in which you burn fat for your main source of fuel rather than carbs.Learn how to achieve the ideal ketone levels for weight loss.

www.healthline.com

though as I'm low carb rather than keto I would take action if my personal levels were over 1 mmol/L.

And to be honest the official NHS advice on DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis) has 1.6 as "you are at risk of DKA"

Diabetic ketoacidosis

Find out about diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), including what the symptoms are, when to get medical help and how to prevent it.

www.nhs.uk

I

 

[No1DeadlyPoison]

What do you mean by "a few ketones"?


And is this a blood or a urine test?

My understanding is that a blood amount of up to 0.6 mmol/L is perfectly normal. (I often run at these levels )

Diabetic ketoacidosis

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a dangerous complication of diabetes caused by a lack of insulin in the body.

111.wales.nhs.uk

Having said that, my googling suggests that up to 3mmol/L is normal for people in dietary ketosis,

Whatâs the Ideal Ketosis Level for Weight Loss?

On the low carb, high fat keto diet, your body enters a state in which you burn fat for your main source of fuel rather than carbs.Learn how to achieve the ideal ketone levels for weight loss.

www.healthline.com

though as I'm low carb rather than keto I would take action if my personal levels were over 1 mmol/L.

And to be honest the official NHS advice on DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis) has 1.6 as "you are at risk of DKA"

Diabetic ketoacidosis

Find out about diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), including what the symptoms are, when to get medical help and how to prevent it.

www.nhs.uk

I

So my ketones are ranging from 0.3 to 1.6. Slightly over the place at the moment. Even when my blood glucose says I am having a hypo, I still have 0.4 ketones. I am checking the ketones by blood.

It is just rather confusing for me at the moment. The nurse I am seeing has not been helpful at all, giving conflicting information, and doesn't listen to things I tell her. I've been type 1 diabetic all my life now and sometimes, like at the moment it can get a little much, and these nurses are there to help, but she's not! So I came here as everyone one here has experienced things like this themselves or can help me more than the nurse. I am also due an annual diabetes check with a different nurse at my GP and will talk to her about this too. (Sorry for my rant).

Thank you for the links as well!

 

[SimonP78]

IMO the official guidance is very very very conservative, I'd not worry at all in your position @No1DeadlyPoison

I often have ketones after exercising (>3mmol/l). See my thread here: https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/normal-ketone-values.110801/