Ketones in Blood
Reviewed
A ketones in blood test measures the level of ketones in your blood. Ketones are acids that your body makes when it breaks down fat for energy. High ketone levels can make your blood too acidic, a serious condition called ketoacidosis. This test is mostly used to check for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in people with diabetes.
Preparation and collection
You don't need any special preparations for a ketones in blood test.
Understanding this test
Use the reference interval and units printed by the laboratory that performed the test. A result outside that interval is not a diagnosis by itself, and a result inside it does not rule out every condition. Your symptoms, history, medicines, timing, and related tests can change what the result means.
- A normal test result does not always rule out diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) because early DKA may involve a type of ketone not measured by standard lab tests.
- People on a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet may have higher ketone levels (ketosis) that are not high enough to be ketoacidosis, but it is possible to develop ketoacidosis on a keto diet.
- At-home testing may have variability; follow instructions carefully and discuss with your provider.
What to do next
If you have questions about your results, talk with your provider. If you have diabetes and your ketone levels are high, follow your diabetes management plan and seek medical attention as advised. If you have severe symptoms of ketoacidosis, seek immediate medical help.