Quick Facts
- If the body’s cells don’t get enough glucose it starts to burn fat for energy
- When the body burns fat instead of glucose it causes waste products called ketones
- Ketones are usually associated with high blood glucose, but also may occur when a child is ill and blood glucose levels fall below the patient’s target range
- At first, ketones will be cleared by the kidneys into the urine but, as their production increases, they build up in the bloodstream, increasing the acidity of the blood and causing diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a potential medical emergency
- Ketoacidosis needs to be treated quickly as it can lead to a diabetic coma
- Blood and urine tests can detect high levels of ketones easily
Ketones and Hyperglycemia
Diabetic ketoacidosis can develop over hours or days and is associated with hyperglycemia - a buildup of ketones in the blood, and dehydration. Hyperglycemia alone does not usually result in a medical emergency. The following situations may lead to a buildup of ketones along with hyperglycemia, which can lead to a medical emergency:
- Illness and infection
- Significant or prolonged insulin deficiency from failure to take any insulin or the correct amount of insulin
Diabetic Ketoacidosis Symptoms
- Severe abdominal pain with vomiting
- Dry mouth and extreme thirst
- Fruity breath, heavy breathing and shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Increasing sleepiness or lethargy
- Depressed level of consciousness
Seeking Medical Treatment
- If you have 1+ of ketones in your urine, contact your diabetes educator urgently
- Drink plenty of water (6 to 10 cups of water within two hours)
- Take an extra dose of rapid acting insulin and re-check your blood sugar
- If it is still high, re-check the ketone level. If your ketone level is not lower, please go to the Emergency Department
