Skip to main navigation
Skip to main content
Skip to footer
For
Medicare
For
Providers
For
Brokers
For
Employers
Español
For Individuals & Families:
For Individuals & Families
Medical
Dental
Other Supplemental
Explore coverage through work
How to Buy Health Insurance
Types of Dental Insurance
Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment
See all topics
Shop for Medicare plans
Member Guide
Find a Doctor
Log in to myCigna
Home
Knowledge Center
Wellness Library
Ketone Test
Ketone Test
Test Overview
A ketone test checks for ketones in your blood or urine. Ketones are substances that are made when the body breaks down fat for energy. Normally, your body gets the energy it needs from carbohydrate in your diet. But stored fat is broken down and ketones are made if your diet does not contain enough carbohydrates to supply the body with sugar (glucose) for energy or if your body can't use blood sugar (glucose) properly.
Ketones can be tested in a laboratory. Or you can test for ketones anywhere you may be by using home blood or urine tests.
Why It Is Done
Why It Is Done
A blood test analyzed by a laboratory is the most accurate method of measuring ketones. It is recommended for all people with diabetes whenever symptoms of illness are present, such as nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain. These symptoms often happen with high blood sugar and may mean you have diabetic ketoacidosis, a potentially life-threatening condition.
Home blood or urine ketone tests:
- Monitor a person who has diabetes, especially when that person is sick.
- Monitor a person on a low-carbohydrate diet and/or high-fat diet.
- Monitor a person who is not able to eat due to anorexia or fasting, who is vomiting a lot, and/or who has diarrhea.
- Monitor a person who is sick.
- Monitor a pregnant woman who has diabetes or has developed gestational diabetes.
How To Prepare
How To Prepare
You do not need to do anything to prepare for this test.
How It Is Done
How It Is Done
Blood test by a lab
A health professional uses a needle to take a blood sample. It's usually taken from an arm.
Blood test at home
Some home blood sugar meters can also measure blood ketones. You use the same finger-prick method that you use to measure blood sugar. There are also meters that only measure blood ketones.
Urine test
There are different types of at-home urine tests. They use either test strips or tablets to test for ketones. You collect a fresh urine sample in a clean container. Be sure to follow the directions on the bottle of test strips or tablets.
How It Feels
How It Feels
Blood test by a laboratory
You may feel nothing at all from the needle, or you may feel a quick sting or pinch.
Blood test at home
Your finger may feel sore after pricking it for a drop of blood for the test.
Urine test
There is normally no discomfort involved with collecting a urine sample.
Risks
Risks
Blood test by a laboratory
There is very little chance of having a problem from this test. A small bruise may form at the site. To lower the chance of bruising, keep pressure on the site for several minutes.
Blood test at home
There is very little risk of complications from testing your blood for ketones with a home blood sugar meter.
Urine test
There are no risks associated with collecting a urine sample.
Results
Results
Ketones
Normal:
|
There are no ketones in your blood or urine.
|
Abnormal:
|
Ketones are present in your blood or urine.
|
Blood test at home
Home blood sugar meters that also test for ketones display results on the meter's screen.
In people who have diabetes, blood ketones are expected to be lower than 0.6 mmol/L.
Urine test
Ketones are present in the urine if:
- The test strip changes color after dipping it into the urine.
- The urine changes color after placing the test tablet in it.
You usually compare the color of the test strip or urine to a chart to find out if ketones are present.
High values
You may have ketones if you:
- Have poorly controlled diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis.
- Are on a very low-carbohydrate or high-fat diet.
- Are starving or have an eating disorder, including disorders that result in poor nutrition such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia, alcohol use disorder, or poisoning from drinking rubbing alcohol (isopropanol).
- Have not eaten (fasted) for 18 hours or longer.
- Are pregnant. Some women have low levels of ketones during pregnancy and this does not affect the fetus. But a moderate or high 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 doctor will discuss any significant abnormal results with you in relation to your symptoms and past health.
Current as of: April 30, 2024
Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.
To learn more about Ignite Healthwise, LLC, visit webmdignite.com.
© 2024 Ignite Healthwise, LLC. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Ignite Healthwise, LLC.
Related Links
Medical Tests: Questions to Ask the Doctor
<cipublic-spinner variant="large"><span>Loading…</span></cipublic-spinner>