Do we need to test for Ketones?

[MeanMom]

K has a streaming cold today

She doesn't have a temperature and is eating. Weirdly her pre meal readings have all been low 7's all day which never happens especially on a Sunday!

Should She be testing for ketones? She doesn't want to and she has never had a ketone reading other than 0.1 since the horrible ones she had at Dx. I cannot smell any (and I do know the smell)

Bit puzzled why her BS so good- Diabetes fairy gone Christmas Shopping?

 

[Northerner]

As far as I know ketones are only a problem if there is insufficient insulin circulating, which would also show up as high BG levels. I've had a couple of colds since diagnosis, although not bad ones, and my levels didn't really change much - I think that's the case with some people, whereas others go shooting up before they even know they are ill!

 

[MeanMom]

Thanks Alan - thought I read somewhere (Ragnar Hanas?) that you should test but perhaps that's just with a fever?

Pre Bed reading 5 ish so she's had an extra biscuit. Usually has raised numbers with a cold but that's the Fairy for you

 

[Caroline]

Sounds like you are doing all the right things. Children are remarkably resilient and seem to cope with things much better than we do as adults. I hope K is better soon

 

[Northerner]

Thanks Alan - thought I read somewhere (Ragnar Hanas?) that you should test but perhaps that's just with a fever?

Pre Bed reading 5 ish so she's had an extra biscuit. Usually has raised numbers with a cold but that's the Fairy for you

Hope she is feeling much better this morning 🙂 Ketones can sometimes be misleading I think, as there are dietary ketones which are produced when a person isn't eating properly, but if blood sugar levels are good then it means that there is sufficient insulin circulating to help process them and any extra glucose being put out by the liver in response to fighting the illness. The problems arise when the ketones and BG levels begin to rise rapidly, meaning that insulin resistance is increasing and the insulin is no longer sufficient to cope with the extra liver glucose. This can happen quickly, so it's still a good idea to test for ketones when ill to see if they are on the increase, plus regular BG tests and plenty of extra liquid to keep hydrated (as the body will try to flush ketones out through urine).

 

[Freddie99]

Nah, not with that kind of BG readings. I'd say your safe. If you start going over ten and with reduced eating and rising BGs then yes, start testing.

Tom