Ketones
Results
A ketone test checks for substances made when the body breaks down fat for energy (ketones).
Ketones Normal:
There are no ketones in your blood or urine.
Abnormal:
Ketones are present in your blood or urine.
Urine test
If either the test strip or the urine changes color when the tablet is dropped into the sample, ketones are present in your urine sample. The test results are read as negative to 1+ to 4+ or small to large.
High values
You may have ketones in your urine if you:
- Have poorly controlled diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis.
- Are on a very low-carbohydrate diet.
- Are starving or have an eating disorder, including disorders that result in poor nutrition such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia, alcoholism, or poisoning from drinking rubbing alcohol (isopropanol).
- Have not eaten (fasted) for 18 hours or longer.
- Are pregnant. However, a moderate amount of ketones in a pregnant woman may harm the fetus and may be an indication of gestational diabetes.
The level of ketones, and not just the presence of ketones, may be important to your doctor as well. Many conditions can change ketone levels. Fasting usually causes only mild increases in the level, but ketone levels in diabetic ketoacidosis are much higher. Your health professional will discuss any significant abnormal results with you in relation to your symptoms and medical history.
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| Author: | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS | Last Updated: July 25, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Alan C. Dalkin, MD - Endocrinology | |
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| Topic Contents | |
| Test Overview | |
| Why It Is Done | |
| How To Prepare | |
| How It Is Done | |
| How It Feels | |
| Risks | |
 | Results |
| What Affects the Test | |
| What To Think About | |
| References | |
| Credits | |