🚨 What Are Ketones in Type 1 Diabetes? 🚨Let’s talk about something important — and potentially dangerous.
In Type 1 diabetes, ketones are not just part of a trendy diet — they’re a warning sign. ⚠️
🧪 Ketones are poisons or acids made when the body breaks down fat for energy because there’s not enough insulin to use glucose (sugar) for fuel. When the body uses fat as a source of energy, it makes this poison. If your body does not have enough insulin to get the glucose out of the blood to the body cell, the body will go to the stored fat cell to get some energy.
This can happen when:
❌ You miss insulin doses
🤒 You’re sick or under stress (fever, illness, infection, stressors)
📉 Blood sugar stays high for too long
⬇️ Ketones may even occur when blood sugar is low, because the body still doesn’t have enough glucose for its cells.
🔍 Why does it matter?
High levels of ketones can lead to Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) — a serious, life-threatening condition. Symptoms include:
🚫 Nausea or vomiting
😴 Fatigue or confusion
🍬 High blood sugar
🍓 Fruity-smelling breath
💧 Frequent urination and thirst
🩸Check for ketones
– When blood sugar is over 250 mg/dL at home, or 300mg/dL at school.
– Every blood sugar test when you’re feeling unwell.
– Some doctors recommend testing every morning with the first urine.
– Every void when ketones are present until they are negative on the test strips.
You can use urine strips or a blood ketone meter.
🧠 Remember: Ketones + high blood sugar = time to act. Don’t wait. Treat or seek help. 💙
🚨 What to Do If Ketones Are Present 🚨
Ketones show up when your body doesn’t have enough insulin to use glucose for energy — so it starts breaking down fat instead. This can be dangerous and lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Here’s what to do:
🔍 1. Check Blood Sugar
- If your blood sugar is high (usually >250 mg/dL), ketones are more likely.
- If blood sugar is normal but you feel unwell, still check for ketones.
💧 2. Stay Hydrated
- Drink plenty of water or sugar-free fluids to help flush ketones out of your system.
💉 3. Take Insulin
- You may need a correction dose of rapid-acting insulin.
- Follow your diabetes sick-day plan or talk to your healthcare provider.
🛌 4. Rest
- Avoid strenuous activity. It can raise ketones even more.
📞 5. Call Your Healthcare Team If:
- Moderate to large ketones are present
- You’re vomiting or can’t keep fluids down
- Blood sugar stays high despite insulin
- You feel confused, extremely tired, or have trouble breathing
- Refer to sick day guidelines- click here for more information
For more information about ketones, check out this article from Cleveland Clinic.
