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Checking for Ketones
Ketones mean the body is short of insulin. Check whenever there is an unexplained high, illness, or vomiting.
Test
Urine strips or a blood ketone meter. Blood is faster and more current; urine lags behind what is happening now.Match the result to your care team’s plan
Your team gave you thresholds for trace, moderate and large ketones. Follow that plan — the numbers are individual.Give insulin and fluids as instructed
Never withhold insulin because someone is not eating. Ketones clear with insulin and fluids, not with waiting.Re-check until clear
Keep testing at the interval your team set until ketones are negative and the number is coming down.
This can become an emergency
Moderate or large ketones with vomiting, drowsiness, or laboured breathing is a reason to call your care team or go to the emergency room now.
This is educational information from one T1D family, not medical advice. Your care team sets your doses, thresholds and timings — follow their plan over anything here.