Ketones urine test
Ketone bodies – urine; Urine ketones; Ketoacidosis – urine ketones test; Diabetic ketoacidosis – urine ketones test
A ketone urine test measures the number of ketones in the urine.
How the Test is Performed
Urine ketones are usually measured as a “spot test.” This is available in a test kit that you can buy at a drug store. The kit contains dipsticks coated with chemicals that react with ketone bodies. A dipstick is dipped in the urine sample. A color change indicates the presence of ketones.
This article describes the ketone urine test that involves sending collected urine to a lab.
A clean-catch urine sample is needed. The clean-catch method is used to prevent germs from the penis or vagina from getting into a urine sample. To collect your urine, the health care provider may give you a special clean-catch kit that contains a cleansing solution and sterile wipes. Follow instructions exactly so that the results are accurate.
How to Prepare for the Test
You may have to follow a special diet. Your provider may tell you to temporarily stop taking certain medicines that may affect the test.
How the Test will Feel
The test involves only normal urination. There is no discomfort.
Why the Test is Performed
Ketone testing is most often done if you have type 1 diabetes and:
- Your blood sugar is higher than 240 mg/dL
- Nausea or vomiting occur
- Pain in the abdomen
Ketone testing may also be done:
- You have an illness such as pneumonia, heart attack, or stroke
- Nausea or vomiting that does not go away
- You are pregnant
Normal Results
A negative test result is normal.
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.
What Abnormal Results Mean
An abnormal result means you have ketones in your urine. The results are usually listed as small, moderate, or large as follows:
- Small: <20 mg/dL
- Moderate: 30 to 40 mg/dL
- Large: >80 mg/dL
Ketones build up when the body needs to break down fats and fatty acids to use as fuel. This is most likely to occur when the body does not get enough sugar or carbohydrates.
This may be due to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) . DKA is a life-threatening problem that affects people with diabetes. It occurs when the body cannot use sugar (glucose) as a fuel source because there is no insulin or not enough insulin. Fat is used for fuel instead.
An abnormal result may also be due to:
- Fasting or starvation: such as with anorexia (an eating disorder)
- High protein or low carbohydrate diet
- Vomiting over a long period (such as during early pregnancy)
- Acute or severe illnesses, such as sepsis or burns
- High fevers
- The thyroid gland making too much thyroid hormone ( hyperthyroidism )
- Nursing a baby, if the mother does not eat and drink enough
Risks
There are no risks with this test.
Ketones blood test
Acetone bodies; Ketones – serum; Nitroprusside test; Ketone bodies – serum; Ketones – bloodA serum ketone test measures how many ketones are there in the blood.
How the Test is Performed
A blood sample is needed.
How to Prepare for the Test
No preparation is needed.
How the Test will Feel
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel slight pain. Others feel a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. This soon goes away.
Why the Test is Performed
Ketones are substances produced in the liver when fat cells break down in the blood. This test is used to diagnose ketoacidosis. This is a life-threatening problem that affects people who:
- Have diabetes. It occurs when the body cannot use sugar (glucose) as a fuel source because there is no insulin or not enough insulin. Fat is used for fuel instead. When fat breaks down, waste products called ketones build up in the body.
- Drink large amounts of alcohol.
Normal Results
A normal test result is negative. This means there are no ketones in the blood.
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your health care provider about the meaning of your specific test results.
What Abnormal Results Mean
A test result is positive if ketones are found in the blood. This may indicate:
- Alcoholic ketoacidosis
- Diabetic ketoacidosis
- Starvation
- Uncontrolled blood glucose in persons with diabetes
A diet low in carbohydrates can increase ketones.
Risks
Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Drawing blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Fainting or feeling lightheaded
- Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
- Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
