Keytones

[Alanp35]

Hi Folks,
I was T2 diagnosed since 2007 although it is believed that I have had diabetes for 30 years being masked by one or more of the many drugs I am on due to a very over active auto immune system. I have been feeling quite unwell (rough, in fact) since my last 6 monthly check and having had everything else checked out (multiple co-morbidities) checked my BG and found that they were often in the 20s and above on occasion and wildly erratic. As a T2 we are not encouraged to monitor our BG. not necessary etc we are told. An urgent HbA1c result was 177. The eyebrows disappeared into the hairline. Anyway, I have now been reclassified as T1.5 (LADA) and immediately put onto Humalog Mix 25 (Tuesday this week) on a low dose as my diabetic nurse has gone on holiday for 3 weeks; 12 units at breakfast and 6 units at evening meal, with a proviso that if my BG did not come down then I could add another 2 units to each dose. They haven't, as yet come down and I will ad 2 units as suggested starting next Tuesday.
My concern is that I am often getting a message flashing on my meter "Keytones?". I know what keytones are and how they are produced and that if they get to be too high then I need to see a doctor/ nurse specialist. I have ordered Ketostix today from Amazon so they should be here within the next few days. What do I do or what should I do in the meantime until I can actually test (urine) for keytones ?
Many thanks
Alan

 

[paul-1976]

Hi Alan! Yes you can buy Bayer Ketostix from most chemist's for around £5 for 50 strips.

 

[angieG]

Try contacting your Doctors Surgery Monday morning as you should be able to get keytone test sticks or a meter that tests for keytones on prescription if you are on insulin.
In the meantime if your levels stay high and you start to feel sick, have shortness of breath or feel rough contact 111 or A&E as you could be getting high keytones and end up ill.

Regards
Angie

 

[mrman]

Are your sugars coming down at all? If not go to a and e. This suggests you obviously need more insulin, or a different type. Consistent high sugars are cause of concern as it doesn't take long for ketone levels to increase also. This would need urgent medical attention as you are currently unable to test for ketones.
If sugars are sometimes in normal range see your team asap for advice on the very high sugar levels.

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

 

[Alanp35]

Many thanks indeed for the considered replies - much appreciated.
Pharmacy tomorrow morning for Ketostix and take it from there. If they are "high" then off to A & E for me.
I have been looking at my BG results for the past few days and to me it seems that the breakfast dose is working correctly in that 2 hours after my evening meal BG is 8.7 - not ideal but better than the 17.1 fasting BG this morning, and most mornings it is quite high. I will increase evening meal dose by 2 units from tomorrow (if BG is still high) and see how that goes.

 

[Rockape671]

Hi Alan, If the nurse gave you a Glucomen LX Plus meter you can use that to test your ketones as well as your sugar. There should be a couple of strips in a silver foil pack in the box.

 

[Alanp35]

Folks,

Again, many thanks to you all.
I now have Ketostix and have done my first test - NIL was the result. Looks like my ketones are not too different to my BG, erratic.
However, if there are any future issues I now have the kit to ascertain the facts.
Enjoy the week-end
Alan