Can you have ketones without diabetes

Anyone can use a urinalysis to test for ketones and there are many options for home testing in case of emergencies or other needs. Ketosis is said to help healthy individuals lose weight from fat while retaining muscle mass. Always discuss your plans with your doctor before starting any ketogenic diet regimen to make sure that you stay healthy and safe. Diabetic ketoacidosis DKA is a medical emergency where your body is unable to absorb blood glucose into the muscles or other body tissues for energy.

These symptoms are extremely important to watch out for, especially if you have if you have diabetes, as ketone buildup can cause certain side effects. Some symptoms of ketone buildup include: 1. While these are the initial symptoms of ketone build up, they will worsen when left unaddressed. Severe ketone buildup is serious and can lead to dangerous complications. The progression of ketone buildup will eventually lead to the following: 1.

If you notice any of these signs of elevated ketone levels, seek medical attention immediately. Keep a close eye on your body and report any changes to your doctor. There are three primary ways to test for ketones in your body: through a urinalysis, blood testing, and breath testing. Remember, if you have diabetes, especially type 1 diabetes, testing your urine for ketones should be implemented in your diabetic management plan.

Talk to your doctor about ketone testing for more information. The most popular way to test for ketones is through a urinalysis. This is one of the more accurate, less invasive ways to test and can be done at home with fairly low marginal error. Eventually they build up in the blood. The presence of ketones could be a sign that you are experiencing, or will soon develop, diabetic ketoacidosis DKA —a life-threatening medical emergency.

There are several situations in which it is a good idea to check for ketones, usually every four to six hours. Talk to your doctor to know what makes the most sense for you and your diabetes management plan. Ketone test strips are available at your pharmacy. They kits are quick and simple to use—though it is important to follow the instructions closely. Always have test strips on hand and check their expiration date.

Make sure you understand the directions in advance, and ask your doctor or nurse if you would like a demonstration. Generally, the test will involve dipping a strip in a urine sample, waiting for it to change color, then comparing your results to a chart on the packaging.

The color will estimate the concentration of ketones in your urine. Remember to record your results! Talk to your doctor immediately if your urine results show moderate or large amounts of ketones.

If you do the test at home, follow the instructions that are in your test kit. Your kit will include a package of strips for testing. You will either be instructed to provide a clean catch sample in a container as described above or to put the test strip directly in the stream of your urine. Talk to your health care provider about specific instructions.

You may have to fast not eat or drink for a certain period of time before taking a ketones in urine test. Ask your health care provider if you need to fast or do any other type of preparation before your test.

Your test results may be a specific number or listed as a "small," "moderate," or "large" amount of ketones. Normal results can vary, depending on your on your diet, activity level, and other factors. Because high ketone levels can be dangerous, be sure to talk to your health care provider about what is normal for you and what your results mean.

Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results. Ketone test kits are available at most pharmacies without a prescription. If you are planning to test for ketones at home, ask your health care provider for recommendations on which kit would be best for you. At-home urine tests are easy to perform and can provide accurate results as long as you carefully follow all instructions.

Some people use at-home kits to test for ketones if they are on a ketogenic or "keto" diet. A keto diet is type of weight-loss plan that causes a healthy person's body to make ketones. Be sure to talk to your health care provider before going on a keto diet. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Ketones in Urine. What is a ketones in urine test?

Other names: ketones urine test, ketone test, urine ketones, ketone bodies. What is it used for? Why do I need a ketones in urine test?