Hi my hubby’s just been prescribed insulin having been on Metformin for 5 years. We are puzzled by the ketone meter and not sure what is a normal result. We had a very quick introduction when he was in HDU prior to discharge. This is such a tough journey for us both. Any help will be very welcomed
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- Thread starter Angie H
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rebrascora
Well-Known Member
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Hi and welcome. I am so pleased you have come to the forum because you and your husband are on a very steep learning curve and having somewhere to ask all the questions which slipped your mind in the short period you had with the nurse or doctor or clarify some of the information which went in one ear and out of the other.... which I am certain happened to all of us.... is invaluable. The forum and it's wonderful members have been a goldmine of tips and knowledge and experience and support to me since diagnosis 3 years ago. What I can tell you is that it is overwhelming at first but it does get easier.
Can you tell us a bit more about your husband being admitted to HDU.... was this diabetes related or something else?
Ketones can develop and become very toxic when Blood Glucose (BG) levels are high. Your husband should have been given a BG meter (or perhaps a Libre sensor on his arm?) to monitor his glucose levels. When those levels are above 14 it is usually recommended to test for ketones and the meter may flash up a warning "ketones" sign to remind you to test for ketones. Some meters can test both blood glucose and ketones but you need different test strips to put into it to test for ketones. These are sometimes individually wrapped in foil and come in strips or 10 rather than the pots of 50 glucose test strips you normally use.
Which meter has your husband been provided with and do you also have the blood ketone test strips or has he just been given Ketostix which are designed to be dipped in urine to test for ketones?
Which insulins has he been prescribed and how is he managing with testing and injecting? You must have been incredibly worried with him being in HDU!
Can you tell us a bit more about your husband being admitted to HDU.... was this diabetes related or something else?
Ketones can develop and become very toxic when Blood Glucose (BG) levels are high. Your husband should have been given a BG meter (or perhaps a Libre sensor on his arm?) to monitor his glucose levels. When those levels are above 14 it is usually recommended to test for ketones and the meter may flash up a warning "ketones" sign to remind you to test for ketones. Some meters can test both blood glucose and ketones but you need different test strips to put into it to test for ketones. These are sometimes individually wrapped in foil and come in strips or 10 rather than the pots of 50 glucose test strips you normally use.
Which meter has your husband been provided with and do you also have the blood ketone test strips or has he just been given Ketostix which are designed to be dipped in urine to test for ketones?
Which insulins has he been prescribed and how is he managing with testing and injecting? You must have been incredibly worried with him being in HDU!
He was in HDU as he contracted Legionella which resulted in partial kidney failure pneumonia and his blood pressure fell completely
He had been diabetic type 2 for some years but put on Metformin for about 6 years
His insulin Humulin Kwick pen and his meter is Safe Smart Duo
He is also on meds for his heart so quite complex
He had been diabetic type 2 for some years but put on Metformin for about 6 years
His insulin Humulin Kwick pen and his meter is Safe Smart Duo
He is also on meds for his heart so quite complex
Cherrelle DUK
Much missed Online Community Coordinator
Hi Angie H, welcome to the forum.
So glad to see you here as a supportive partner can make all the difference when dealing with health issues.
Your GP really is the best place to find out what is normal and what your husband should be aiming for. I say this due to the co-existing health issues and because it seems there are a few things they have yet to supply so it's worth giving them a nudge!
Regarding managing it all, you've got some great advice above and hopefully you'll get some helpful insights from the forum.
We've got some info on our main site re Ketone just for some general info and you're more than welcome to give our helpline a call on 0345 123 2399 if you'd like to speak with someone directly.
So glad to see you here as a supportive partner can make all the difference when dealing with health issues.
Your GP really is the best place to find out what is normal and what your husband should be aiming for. I say this due to the co-existing health issues and because it seems there are a few things they have yet to supply so it's worth giving them a nudge!
Regarding managing it all, you've got some great advice above and hopefully you'll get some helpful insights from the forum.
We've got some info on our main site re Ketone just for some general info and you're more than welcome to give our helpline a call on 0345 123 2399 if you'd like to speak with someone directly.
rebrascora
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- She/Her
The meter looks to be one that tests ketones and glucose but you need different test strips to test for ketones, Were you testing for ketones using a special ketone test strip from a foil wrapper or was it a glucose test strip which was indicating that he needs to test for ketones because his levels are high?
What was the reading you got?
What was the reading you got?
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