Checking for Ketones?

[runner]

Does everyone test for ketones? My BS sometimes goes over 13 and my meter queries ketones, but I have no means of testing them. Didn't seem to have any unrine tests at surgery visits since diagnosis, but only have 6 month check now. Asked the local DSN about checking and she didnlt think necessary as usually ckear on visiuts. Should I be checking myself? do you all check?

 

[angel30eyes]

I always check if i'm over 17 or 18 and in a lot of pain as i get ketones then, what meter do you have, I have a Optium Xceed which tests for ketones too

 

[Northerner]

I've got a drum of ketone testing strips, which are probably out of date now. I've only used them once, when I got a bit of a cold/dreadful man flu a few months ago. Get your GP to prescribe some - handy to have on standby should you become ill. If I wasn't ill, I don't think I would test for them at 13, sounds a bit low to start worrying to me - depending on when the blood was tested of course - if that was a fasting level then I would!

I'm rambling, aren't I?😉

 

[katie]

If i tested when I was at 13 id be testing every day, oops.

 

[Steff]

yes i test if im over 16 i bought some ketostix for a fivva from boots

 

[mikep1979]

i test when ever i am over 14/15. i have the optium exceed as it has the built in blood ketone testing so it is much more accurate than urine testing.

 

[runner]

I always check if i'm over 17 or 18 and in a lot of pain as i get ketones then, what meter do you have, I have a Optium Xceed which tests for ketones too

I have a Wavesense Jazz - doesn't test for ketones, but judging what you've all said, think I'm overworrying - haven't experienced any pain, altho' I have hit 18 on occassion and corrected pretty quickly.

 

[runner]

13, sounds a bit low to start worrying to me - depending on when the blood was tested of course - if that was a fasting level then I would!

I'm rambling, aren't I?😉

LOL

Northener, (or is it Sid of the Bailey?) you've mentioned a fasting test on several occassions - what do you mean?

 

[mikep1979]

I have a Wavesense Jazz - doesn't test for ketones, but judging what you've all said, think I'm overworrying - haven't experienced any pain, altho' I have hit 18 on occassion and corrected pretty quickly.

if your hitting 18 then you really should be checking for ketones as it is dangerous to not know if you have them. i would ask your gp for testing strips or ask your dsn to swap your monitor to an optium exceed. really it is best to be safer when dealing with ketones.

 

[runner]

Thanks one and all - what do yu do if you have ketones - excuse my ignorance - I know high level are dangerous and can lead to Ketoacidosis and it's what has made many of you very ill prior to diagnosis, but I weouldn't know what to do if I did have some?

 

[runner]

if your hitting 18 then you really should be checking for ketones as it is dangerous to not know if you have them. i would ask your gp for testing strips or ask your dsn to swap your monitor to an optium exceed. really it is best to be safer when dealing with ketones.

OK - thanks - might do that, or initally get some strips like Steff, to see what's happening, then ask for a meter on next visit.

 

[mikep1979]

Thanks one and all - what do yu do if you have ketones - excuse my ignorance - I know high level are dangerous and can lead to Ketoacidosis and it's what has made many of you very ill prior to diagnosis, but I weouldn't know what to do if I did have some?

best advice i would give is to drink tonnes of water to make sure you flush them out and keep re testing to make sure they have gone.

 

[aymes]

You probably should have some means of testing for ketone in case of unexpected high sugars/and or illness. You can either get urine sticks to test for them, but urine testing is 'delayed' by a few hours to what is actually going on so a lot of people prefer to use blood testing instead. It is worth having them, for reassurance if nothing else, but also there can be the risk of DKA during illness so the earlier you can spot something the better.

 

[aymes]

Thanks one and all - what do yu do if you have ketones - excuse my ignorance - I know high level are dangerous and can lead to Ketoacidosis and it's what has made many of you very ill prior to diagnosis, but I weouldn't know what to do if I did have some?

ask your dsn for some strips on prescription and also rules to tell you what to do if you find ketones, the advice will vary according to the level found.

 

[runner]

ask your dsn for some strips on prescription and also rules to tell you what to do if you find ketones, the advice will vary according to the level found.

Thanks Aymes.

Still learning 2 years down the line!

 

[tracey w]

If i tested when I was at 13 id be testing every day, oops.

ditto!

I have only occasionally tested when feeling ill/cold generally. You can still produce ketones at lower levels if you are ill. So i would always test if ill, but not if high if that makes sense? Unless i remained high without knowing why.

there was a lady on my dafne course who ended up in hospital with dka, she had a tummy bug but did not test ketones as her levels were only 10!

 

[katie]

I have only occasionally tested when feeling ill/cold generally. You can still produce ketones at lower levels if you are ill. So i would always test if ill, but not if high if that makes sense? Unless i remained high without knowing why.

yeah that's exactly what i do! (phew, it thought i was alone on that one lol)

 

[Northerner]

LOL

Northener, (or is it Sid of the Bailey?) you've mentioned a fasting test on several occassions - what do you mean?

Simply when I haven't eaten for several hours and there is no fast-acting insulin in my system - like when you get up in the morning, or if it is more than 5 hours after a meal/insulin generally. I think that, officially, fasting means 10-12 hours, like when you have to fast for cholesterol tests etc.

 

[runner]

Simply when I haven't eaten for several hours and there is no fast-acting insulin in my system - like when you get up in the morning, or if it is more than 5 hours after a meal/insulin generally. I think that, officially, fasting means 10-12 hours, like when you have to fast for cholesterol tests etc.

So you don't necessarily fast in order to see what the level is, but just take note of the tests that occur naturally after this period, as fasting tests? Sorry if this seems obvious, as i say, still learning after 2 years!

 

[runner]

ditto!

there was a lady on my dafne course who ended up in hospital with dka, she had a tummy bug but did not test ketones as her levels were only 10!

😱

Thanks for the warning and the advice - again I learn something about diabetes...