Your body needs sugar for energy. And when sugar can’t be used for energy, fat breaks down to give you energy. Ketones are a type of acid that’s left over when your body burns its own fat for energy. If there is too little insulin in the bloodstream to help the sugar get into cells, the body looks for other kinds of fuel to burn. When the body burns stored fat, ketones begin to build up in the body. Ketones get removed from your bloodstream by the urine. But, when too many ketones build up in the bloodstream, it can lead to a serious problem called ketoacidosis.
Who Should Test for Ketones?
Kids with type 1 diabetes should know how to test for ketones in their urine and be instructed by their healthcare team when to check (like during illness or times of stress.) Finding ketones in your urine is usually a sign of trouble so ketone testing is very important. Be sure to tell your mom and dad when you’re not feeling well and when your blood sugar is too high. They will help you remember when to test your urine for ketones.
When Should I Test for Ketones?
Your healthcare team will tell you when you should test for ketones. It’s also a good idea to test if:
- Your blood sugar is 14 mmol/L or higher for two tests in a row.
- You are sick (even with a cold) because being sick can cause you to have ketones.
- You are vomiting or have diarrhea.
- You are under stress or are upset.
How Do I Test for Ketones?
Testing your urine for ketones is very easy. You can use a simple dip-and-read urine test strip, like Ketostix™ from Bayer. Just dip the test strip into a sample of your urine. If the colour changes, there are ketones in your urine.
You can get ketone test strips at the drugstore. They come in bottles and in individually foil-wrapped strips. The strips can be damaged by light and moisture, so you should keep them in the bottle with the lid on tight.
What if I Have Ketones?
If the test shows that you have ketones:
- Drink lots of liquids, especially water.
- Have your parents call your diabetes doctor.
- Check your blood sugar often.
- You might need more insulin.
Hemoglobin A1C
There are two blood tests that tell you about your diabetes: your daily blood sugar checks and the Hemoglobin A1C, or A1C. Daily blood sugar checks tell you about the day-to-day balance of your meal plan, activity and insulin. A1C is a blood test that is done every 2-3 months and gives you an idea of your blood sugar control over that time period.
Source: Canadian Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.ca)