What Are Ketones In Urine?
The human body is adapted to synthesizing sugar in the form of glucose or in its raw state in order to create energy. When we do not consume enough sugar, our body opts to metabolize the available quantities of fat instead, which in turn creates ketones. This process, called ketosis, occurs when there’s not enough insulin to help cells use glucose for energy, or when there’s a severe restriction of carbohydrate intake.
Ketones are a form of acid that mix with your blood like a toxin when your body burns fat for energy. This acid and blood content makes you feel nauseated and sick. Ketones are produced by the liver and are usually present in small amounts in the blood and urine. They can get formed during periods of fasting, low carbohydrate diets, or intense exercise.
What Causes Ketone Bodies In Urine To Form?
Several factors influence the formation of ketones in urine such as:
- Eating disorders
- Infections
- Pneumonia
- Strenuous exercise
- Abusing alcohol
- Pregnancy
- Stroke
- Eating diets that contain low amounts of carbohydrate
- Vomiting and diarrhoea that becomes a chronic problem
- Fasting
- Sepsis
- Hyperthyroidism
- Nursing babies without adequate nutrition in the mother’s body
- High fever
- Burns
If your urine test does show ketone bodies in urine, it is best to seek treatment right away and address the issue. If left unchecked, the ketones entering your bloodstream can cause severe damage to your internal organs and damage their functionalities.
What Is Trace Ketones In Urine?
Trace ketones in urine are generally not a cause for concern. While trace amounts of ketones in urine are normal and can occur after sleep or fasting, high levels of ketones can indicate a serious medical condition called ketoacidosis, particularly in people with diabetes.
Ketoacidosis is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms of high ketone levels may include excessive thirst, frequent urination, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and fruity-smelling breath.
What Causes Ketone Bodies In Urine?
Several factors influence the formation of ketones in urine such as:
- Eating disorders
- Infections
- Pneumonia
- Strenuous exercise
- Abusing alcohol
- Pregnancy
- Stroke
- Eating diets that contain low amounts of carbohydrate
- Vomiting and diarrhoea that becomes a chronic problem
- Fasting
- Sepsis
- Hyperthyroidism
- Nursing babies without adequate nutrition in the mother’s body
- High fever
- Burns
What Is Ketones In Urine Test?
A ketones in urine test measures the levels of ketones in your urine. The test can be done at home using over-the-counter test strips or in a lab. At-home ket urine tests involve dipping a test strip into a urine sample and comparing the color change to a chart that indicates ketone levels. In a lab, healthcare providers can measure urine ketone levels with a urinalysis.
If your urine test does show ketone bodies in urine, it is best to seek treatment right away and address the issue. If left unchecked, the ketones entering your bloodstream can cause severe damage to your internal organs and damage their functionalities.
When Is Ketone In Urine Test Recommended?
If your healthcare provider insists upon a ket urine test to trace ketones in urine, you probably have one of the following conditions:
- You are diabetic
- The levels of glucose in your blood have surpassed 240 mg per deciliter.
- You are experiencing pain in the abdominal regions
- You have been feeling nauseated and vomiting
- You are suffering from flu or the common cold
- You constantly suffer from fatigue
- You are constantly thirsty or experience dry mouth
- You appear constantly confused
- You have a fruity smell in your breath
- Your skin is flushed
In the case of children, diabetes can cause severe problems. Thus, if a diabetic child has any of the symptoms mentioned above, healthcare professionals will recommend immediate treatment and suggest ketones in urine tests.
Urine Ketone Bodies Test Procedure
Here’s how to take the test and what the unusual results mean:
The ketone bodies in urine are measured using a spot test. The test is available as a kit at any drug store and comes with a ketone dipstick that is lined and prepared with the necessary chemicals. These chemicals react when they come in contact with ketone bodies thus the doctor collects a urine sample and dips the ketone dipstick into it. The amount of ketones in urine is denoted by a change in colour.
Also Read : What Is Bilirubin In Urine Test?
Ketone Levels In Urine Chart
Ketone levels in urine can be measured using test strips that change color based on the concentration of ketones. If the levels of ketones in urine are more or less, the colour will make that evident. Here’s when you know that the levels of trace ketones in urine in your body is abnormal:
| Ketone Level | Description |
|---|---|
| Negative | No ketones detected |
| Trace | Small amount of ketones (5-20 mg/dL) |
| Small | Moderate amount of ketones (20-40 mg/dL) |
| Moderate | Higher amount of ketones (40-80 mg/dL) |
| Large | Very high amount of ketones (80-160 mg/dL) |
These levels indicate the number of ketones in urine in your body. A small amount of trace ketones in urine is normal. However, if the urine test demonstrates large differences in your chart from the normal range, it might be a big reason for worry.
The abnormal result of ketones in urine tests indicates a need to make changes in lifestyle. It is pivotal at this point to take a serious look at your lifestyle and determine how to introduce healthy sugar into your diet so that your body is not forced to synthesize fats and build ketones.
If you have an unnatural diet or follow strict diets for diabetics or simply choose to fast or starve most of the time, the levels of ketone bodies in urine may increase. In the absence of sufficient food to synthesize and transpose glucose to the cells, the blood is starting to circulate high levels of ketones instead.
Also Read : What Your Urine Color Says About Your Health
Ketones In Urine During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, it’s common to monitor ketone levels in urine to ensure both the mother and baby are healthy. Normal ketone levels in urine during pregnancy are generally considered to be:
- Negative to Trace: 0-0.5 mmol/L
- Small: 0.6-1.5 mmol/L
- Moderate: 1.6-3.0 mmol/L
- Large: Greater than 3.0 mmol/L
Trace amounts of ketones are usually not a cause for concern and can occur due to fasting or not eating enough carbohydrates. Finding ketones in urine pregnancy can primarily mean a basic need for the mother and the baby to acquire sufficient amounts of nutrients to create the necessary energy. This lack of energy causes subsequent problems during pregnancy in the prenatal stages, which affects their development in later stages as well.
Finding ketones in urine pregnancy has often led to preliminary tests of the child. When tracing their development, researchers discovered that babies who encountered ketones in urine pregnancy had lower levels of IQ and their development was affected throughout their lives.
These children have also often reported problems with a disability or natural development. During pregnancy, if you consistently receive charts with high levels of ketones in urine, it may indicate a potential issue, such as gestational diabetes or inadequate nutrition. So, it is time to check and modify your diet and acquire the necessary nutrients to create sufficient energy for the mother and the baby.
If the mother suffers from diabetes, it is best to consult with a medical professional and devise a suitable diet plan that will not subsequently hurt the mother or the child. Incorporating more unsweetened carbohydrates to create energy without consuming items with glucose or fat may be a good way to manage the levels of trace ketones in urine without misbalancing the levels of insulin.
