20
β-Ketone Tests
Your meter provides you with one measuring mode: General.
● Insert a test strip to turn on the meter. The screen will display “
”,
a flashing “
” and “KET”.
● After obtaining the first drop of blood, wipe it off. Squeeze again to
obtain another drop of whole blood sample for the test.
Reference Values
The β-Ketone readings deliver plasma equivalent results and are
displayed in millimoles of β-Ketone per liter of blood (mmol/L).
The β-Ketone test measures Beta-Hydroxybutyrate (β-OHB), the most
important of the three β-Ketone bodies in the blood. Normally, levels of
β-OHB are expected to be less than 0.6 mmol/L
1
.
β-OHB levels may increase if a person fasts, exercises vigorously or
has diabetes and becomes ill. If your β-Ketone result is “Lo”, repeat the
β-Ketone test with a new test strip. If the same message appears again
or the result does not reflect how you feel, contact your healthcare
professional. Follow your healthcare professional’s advice before
you make any changes to your diabetes medication program. If your
β-Ketone result is between 0.6 and 1.5 mmol/L, this this may indicate
development of a problem that may require medical assistance. Follow
your healthcare professional’s instructions. If your β-Ketone result is
higher than 1.5 mmol/L, contact your healthcare professional urgently
for advice and assistance. You may be at risk of developing diabetic
ketoacidosis (DKA).
1
: Wiggam MI, O’Kane MJ, Harper R, et al. Treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis using
normalization of blood 3-hydroxybutyrate concentration as the endpoint of emergency
management. Diabetes Care. 1997; 20(9): 1347-52.
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