Info on Ketones

[LibLib]

Hi I'm type 2 diabetic would like info on ketones. I take metaformin mt my hba1c is 43. I have tested finger prick with ketone monitor it says 0.1 but my urine sticks say 0.4++ is this normal. My gp says my numbers are great but ketones often in my urine what does this mean?

 

[JimmyBlue]

Hi @LibLib I have had issues with Ketones and my HbA1c at the last measure was 47. I wouldn't worry to much about the result you are getting, the doctor based on what I was told will only worry if they are 0.7 or higher on a consistent basis and if they go above 1.5 you need to go to hospital (A&E).

From what the diabetes nurse told me when I had mine tested for the first time, ketones are produced when your body does not have enough carbs and starts to convert body fat to glucose for energy. The Keto diet is all about getting this "ketosis" state as it burning off fat will result in weight loss and loss of body mass, specifically fat reserves.

The highest my ketones went was 0.8 but the issue for me was that having moved to a low carb diet, I actually wasn't eating enough carbs and therefore I lost over a stone in a short period of time (circa 2 months) and got sent for a host of medical tests that ultimately I didn't really need although they provided reassurance to everyone that there wasn't something worse.

My ketones are now anywhere between 0.1 and 0.6 especially in the morning if my evening meal was light on carbs and I don't eat breakfast till a couple of hours after waking up. I also think I read that ketones in urine is less accurate then the finger prick test so I think don't worry about the former and focus on the latter result.

 

[rebrascora]

Have you adjusted your diet? just wondering if you are following a low carb way of eating and those are dietary ketones. 0.4 is nothing to worry about and I am surprised that you are using 2 different types of ketone testing when you are not at any obvious risk of DKA

 

[dannybgoode]

Unless you're on SGLT2 inhibitor meds then as a T2 your chances of using issues with ketones are very very low. Low enough for my DSNs to confidently state DKA is not an issue that I should worry about.

 

[LibLib]

Have you adjusted your diet? just wondering if you are following a low carb way of eating and those are dietary ketones. 0.4 is nothing to worry about and I am surprised that you are using 2 different types of ketone testing when you are not at any obvious risk of DKA

No not doing low carb. Watch what I eat use sourdough bread when I have bread

 

[rebrascora]

Was the test done after a fasting period? ie In the morning before breakfast? Or are you actively losing weight?
Is there any particular reason why you are testing for ketones?

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

It doesn’t sound as if those ketones are at a high level that would cause concern, though if you are worried, do speak to your GP or practice nurse.

As others have said, ketones can be an indication that accompanies weight loss, as they are a byproduct of burning fats. Provided you have sufficient insulin production and they remain at low levels, they shouldn’t be a cause for concern according to what I have been told.

 

[saffron15]

@LibLib are you on anything other than metformin? My last hba1c was 44. I'm on an SGLT2 and have some ketostix which were prescribed. Initially I was going to do a random test but saw if I opened them they should be used within 6 months so decided not to test as I hadn't felt ill and because I was worried about it I had upped my carbs ( probably too much] Having discovered recently you do not need a prescription and they aren't expensive I'm thinking of trying a lowish carb day 120 to 140 and testing the next morning. However if you are only on metformin I'm not sure why you are testing and in fact have bothered with test strips and ketostix. Are you doing a keto diet?

 

[LibLib]

No not on keto I’ve had problems after hysterectomy with bladder and bowel and urine strips for infection also show ketones

 

[dannybgoode]

No not on keto I’ve had problems after hysterectomy with bladder and bowel and urine strips for infection also show ketones

Anything under 0.6 is considered normal...

 

[Inka]

Hi I'm type 2 diabetic would like info on ketones. I take metaformin mt my hba1c is 43. I have tested finger prick with ketone monitor it says 0.1 but my urine sticks say 0.4++ is this normal. My gp says my numbers are great but ketones often in my urine what does this mean?

Are you eating enough? When are you testing? And are you properly hydrated? Those are all things that can have an effect. I think your concern is the mismatch between your ketone meter and your urine dipsticks? Here’s the NHS guidance:

If you have diabetes and have any of the symptoms of DKA, check your blood glucose. If it's high, test for ketones if you can.

If you use a meter to test for ketones in your blood:

• under 0.6mmol/L is normal
• 0.6 to 1.5mmol/L is slightly high – test again in 2 hours
• 1.6 to 3mmol/L means you're at risk of DKA and should speak to your diabetes care team for advice
• over 3mmol/L is high and means you may have DKA and should call 999 or go to A&E

If you use strips to test for ketones in your pee, over 2+ is high. This means you may have DKA and should call 999 or go to A&E.

 

[Lucyr]

Hi I'm type 2 diabetic would like info on ketones. I take metaformin mt my hba1c is 43. I have tested finger prick with ketone monitor it says 0.1 but my urine sticks say 0.4++ is this normal. My gp says my numbers are great but ketones often in my urine what does this mean?

If blood ketones are 0.1 then you don’t need to worry, just make sure you’re drinking enough. I often get ketones in urine but it’s blood ketones that the hospital worry about.