Ketone
Why the test is performed
Ketones are the end-product of rapid or excessive fatty-acid breakdown. Examples of ketones are:
- Acetoacetic acid
- Acetone
- Beta-hydroxybutyric acid
Ketones will be present in the urine when the ketones in the blood go above a certain level.
A number of hormones, including glucagon, epinephrine, and growth hormone can cause fatty acids to be released from body fat (adipose tissue) into the blood. The levels of these hormones increase in starvation, uncontrolled diabetes, and a number of other conditions.
An insulin deficiency relative to the level of glucagon is also present in persons with diabetes.
Normal results
A negative test result is normal. When ketones are present in the urine, the results are usually listed as small, moderate, or large with these corresponding values:
Small: < 20 mg/dL
Moderate: 30 - 40 mg/dL
Large: > 80 mg/dL
Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What abnormal results mean
A positive test may indicate:
- Abnormal nutritional conditions
- Anorexia
- Fasting
- High protein or low carbohydrate diets
- Starvation
- Disorders of increased metabolism
- Acute or severe illness
- Burns
- Fever
- Hyperthyroidism
- Nursing a baby (lactation)
- Postsurgical condition
- Pregnancy
- Metabolic abnormalities, including uncontrolled diabetes or glycogen storage disease
- Vomiting frequently over a long period of time