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Ketone meter??

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R

Ruth Goode

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Parent of person with diabetes
Carly was ill over the weekend with ear infection, on Monday she was sicked so I checked her ketone using urine strip and it was 4 + so we called DSN and she suggested to take Carly to hospital.
In hospital they used ketones blood meter and it was 1.5 which wasn't too bad as the urine test so why do they showed more ketone on urine test than blood test? Should I have a ketone blood meter? do anyone have them, is it useful?
 
I've got one (a member here sent me a spare GlucomenLX) but have not pressured my GP for strips as I only check for ketones once in a bule moon and urine strips seem to be doing the job atm.

I think the 'problem' with urine strips (much like using them to check for glucose) is that ketones only spill over into urine after a while, and thus the readings are quite delayed from what is happening 'now'.

Blood strips give a more accurate and more immediate picture as far as I know - but the strips are quite expensive.

You'd prob have a good case for them though with a little one. Would be worth asking and if they say 'no' ask for a good reason!
 
Definitely get a blood ketone meter Ruth - the Optium Xceed can take them as well as ordinary test strips. True, the strips are expensive at around ?2 per strip to the NHS, but they are individually wrapped so don't start to expire as soon as you open the box like urine strips do. With urine strips I would use four pots in two years potentially, so they work out at the same price essentially. They are also far more accurate and give a truer reading of the 'current' situation.
 
We got the blood testing ketone kit on diagnosis, you should have one, much more accurate, essential with the little ones and all the bugs they get!

Hope Carly is feeling better x
 
We had the Optium Xceed until recently, it's very reliable. We have just changed to the GlocoMenLx simply because the display is larger so easier for K to read (she has vision problems)
Measuring Keytones in the blood is more accurate as it's more immediate - we have never been given home urine test for that reason. Strips are technically more expensive per unit but you tend to use them less.(I'm told)

We have never had problems getting them but we rarely have to test for Keytones ( thank goodness!)
Worth asking about at least🙂
 
Great, thank you 🙂 I have texted DSN to ask if it is possible for me to have one. If not I will ask again on Carly's next check up appt, thank you again x
 
Sorry to hear your little one is poorly.
I use an optimum xceed with the ketone strips.The diabetic nurse wanted me to use them as more accurate. I test for them whenever my level is above 14.0.
Get better soon🙂
 
We too have the Optium Xceed, in fact we have 2, got them both at the hospital on diagnosis. They were used on my son whilst in hospital at diagnosis, and we had to use them at home for the first few days. We were then advised to use them at any time during illness or when the BG levels rise above 16. The strips are expensive, something like ?28 for 10 strips, though as said above they are individually wrapped so as long as they are in date, you only use one at a time.

Our GP puts them on prescription, and it is the only thing he has ever mentioned using sparingly because of the cost, but is happy enough to let us have them. I just keep one box in and keep a note of the expiry date and order a new box a month before I need them. Obviously if you start needing them during illness, order a new box immediately.

If you ever ring the hospital for advice in an emergency, one of the most helpful things you can tell them is the ketone reading along with BG levels and as everyone has said, the blood reading is the most accurate.
 
Great new, DSN very happily gave us a new ketone blood meter today 🙂)
 
Glad you got a machine at least you can check at home now for ketones. Hope Carly is better. 🙂
 
Glad you got your meter sorted x.
 
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