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What level of ketones is normal for, like, a non-diabetic?
- Thread starter Austin_98
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Inka
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@Austin_98 I can only go by my non-diabetic friends. None of them had ketones on the Ketostix when pregnant and having their urine dipped. Sometimes people without diabetes can have ketones for other reasons, eg starvation, a keto diet, etc.
Why do you ask? Are you worried about someone?
Why do you ask? Are you worried about someone?
No, not worried about anyone at all. I was just curious, like the question has been floating around in my head. I felt like crap today and not sure why (blood sugars been a little high, 10-14 range mostly, but not enough to make me feel unwell) so I tested my ketones (the finger-prick tests) and it came back 0.5 (also not enough to make me feel ill, I don't think?) and I wondered if 0.5 was just "normal" or if it was caused by either slightly elevated BG or if I was unwell and it was causing the ketones*
Sorry, just while we're talking ketones, what reading is dangerous or a medical emergency? I've been told to go to A&E if I get a reading of 3.0 or above, but when I was hospitalized my ketones were initially 6.8 and I wasn't considered critically ill or anything (although I felt HORRIBLE).
Sorry for all the questions, I'm still new to all of this and when I have any kind of health problem, I like to learn as much about it as possible and when it comes to Diabetes, I figure you guys are the best source of information (apart from the diabetics team or my endocrinologist, but I can hardly call them every time I have a question).
*I've only experienced DKA once, last December, and it was triggered by infection (a dental abscess).
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This is from the NHS website @Austin_98
If you do a blood ketone test:
111.wales.nhs.uk
So it sounds like your readings count as ‘normal’.
If you do a blood ketone test:
- lower than 0.6mmol/L is a normal reading
- 0.6 to 1.5mmol/L means you're at a slightly increased risk of DKA and should test again in 2 hours
- 1.6 to 2.9mmol/L means you're at an increased risk of DKA and should contact your diabetes team or GP as soon as possible
- 3mmol/L or over means you have a very high risk of DKA and should get medical help immediately
Diabetic ketoacidosis
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a dangerous complication of diabetes caused by a lack of insulin in the body.
111.wales.nhs.uk
So it sounds like your readings count as ‘normal’.
I think the NHS guidance is rather conservative, ketones may be present post-exercise, if you're not eating (which may well be the case when you're ill and running a bit high and don't want to go higher) and if you're on a keto-diet amongst other things.
I had 2.3mmol/l of ketones after getting back from a long ride, then 0.4 mmol/l a day later, I plan to do more testing after other long rides. Thread here with a graph (they, other graphs showing how the levels are classified, are generally fairly similar to this one): https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/normal-ketone-values.110801/
I had 2.3mmol/l of ketones after getting back from a long ride, then 0.4 mmol/l a day later, I plan to do more testing after other long rides. Thread here with a graph (they, other graphs showing how the levels are classified, are generally fairly similar to this one): https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/normal-ketone-values.110801/
This is from the NHS website @Austin_98
If you do a blood ketone test:
If you do a urine ketone test, a result of more than 2+ means there's a high chance you have DKA and you should get medical help immediately.
- lower than 0.6mmol/L is a normal reading
- 0.6 to 1.5mmol/L means you're at a slightly increased risk of DKA and should test again in 2 hours
- 1.6 to 2.9mmol/L means you're at an increased risk of DKA and should contact your diabetes team or GP as soon as possible
- 3mmol/L or over means you have a very high risk of DKA and should get medical help immediately
Diabetic ketoacidosis
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a dangerous complication of diabetes caused by a lack of insulin in the body.
So it sounds like your readings count as ‘normal’.
So does <6 mean that I'm not burning fat? I thought that's what any ketones meant, like even if I'm not at risk for DKA?
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I was looking in the context of being at risk of DKA.
Like @SimonP, my understanding is that any ketones suggest you are burning fat. Many people get ‘starvation ketones’ in the morning, or after skipping a meal
I thought you were trying not to lose weight @Austin_98
I also think (from a quick glance rather than in-depth study) that people also almost always have some ketones as they continue to burn fat as well as glucose - this may be down to gaps between meals and residual ketones.
Presumably if one drinks a couple of pints of full-fat coke (and, importantly, takes insulin) the ketones might go away completely while that is being processed. No idea, probably in the literature though.
Presumably if one drinks a couple of pints of full-fat coke (and, importantly, takes insulin) the ketones might go away completely while that is being processed. No idea, probably in the literature though.
This is correct! My BMI is up from 16.6 to 17.9 🙂
I wasn't deliberately TRYING to have ketones, more I just wondered if their presence meant fat-burning. I still have a lot of thoughts and urges around "needing" to lose weight, I'm just fighting against them.
Inka
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Well done @Austin_98 Keep fighting 🙂 I hope you’re feeling better for it.
I only test for ketones if my blood sugar is high or if I feel ill. I have no idea what they’re doing the rest of the time!
I only test for ketones if my blood sugar is high or if I feel ill. I have no idea what they’re doing the rest of the time!
Thanks! 🙂
I have more energy for sure. Been managing a little better to do basic daily stuff (pain is as much/more of a problem than weakness/exhaustion though) like just small stuff like I unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher for my mum which made me feel good 'cause I really want to do more stuff to help her out and I'm able to do more now 🙂
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Ah that’s great to hear @Austin_98
Keep focussing on your plan that is working, and resist those urges that you know aren’t helpful for you.
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