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Need advice how to check ketones :)

Seriously_Sax1989

Seriously_Sax1989

Well-Known Member
Messages
299
Location
Somerset
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hello I've been type 1 for 18 years but since I got to around 14, (I'm 23 now) I completely lost touch in regarding looking after myself!

I've done a bit of reading into ketones and diabetic ketoacidosis as until recently I may have checked my sugar levels only a handful of times and eating whatever I wanted, they were always high! Thank fully I am doing much better now and pretty much have changed my attitude towards myself and the things I eat, although occasionally I give myself a little treat especially when I feel down!

Rambling a bit now!! Anyway when I was first diagnosed at age 6 I seem to remember having these sticks which I had to dip into my urine, now I can't remember if that was to check for ketones or not :( if anyone knows what I'm talking about lol or knows of anything to check for ketones, would be greatly appreciated! :) x


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A lot of things have changed over time. you may well have had dipstics for urine a few years back. Equally they might have been ketostix.
you shouldn't need to check for ketones very often.
Also testing urine for glucose isn't particuarly helpful. It will tell you how much glucose your kidneys have excreted since you last emptied your bladder. Since you re-absorb the first signs of glucose, that doesn't tell you much about how much glucose you have in your blood. Except that it's too much to re-absorb. that level is called the "renal threshold" and is about 10 mmol/l in most people.
You need to get into the routine of testing your blood several times a day and working out your insulin doses from there and what you are planning to eat.
It's the only way to get yourself fit and healthy.
Hana
 
The following is a good explanation about ketones and when to test:

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-and-ketones.html


The urine strips to test for ketones are called Ketostix, you can get them on repeat prescription so ask your gp to add them to your script, when you first open the strips write the date down on the box as they are not to be used after 6 months from opening.
 
Ok thanks, I'll take a look. I am fit and healthy, correct weight etc but just a bit paranoid I think after reading all this stuff and not looking after myself for years.


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