Ketones in urine and blood at home
urine ketones · ketone test strips · blood ketone meter · acetone in urine · checking ketones
At home, you check ketones with urine strips or with a meter and a drop of blood. Ketones appear when your body does not have enough insulin or food.
With diabetes: when blood sugar is high, and when you are sick, vomiting, or have a fever. Sometimes on strict diets, on a doctor's advice.
⏱ Duration: the test takes 1 to 2 minutes
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- Plan. Ask your doctor for a plan ahead of time: when to check ketones and what to do for each result.
- Supplies. Keep urine strips, or a meter with test strips, at home. Check the expiry dates.
- Medicines. Do not stop or change anything on your own. Doses with ketones only as your doctor's plan says.
What to bring
- Urine strips or a blood meter
- Your sugar and ketone diary
- Your doctor's plan
How it goes
- For urine: wet the strip in urine or hold it in the stream
- Wait the time in the instructions, then compare the color with the chart on the package
- For blood: wash and dry your hands
- Put a ketone strip into the meter and prick your finger
- Touch the drop of blood to the strip and wait for the result
- Write down the result with your blood sugar and the time
What you'll feel
- Urine test: nothing
- Blood test: a quick finger prick
Afterwards
- Follow the plan your doctor gave you
- With high ketones, people usually drink more water and check sugar and ketones more often
- If you have no plan, call your doctor
Contact a doctor straight away if
- High ketones with vomiting or belly pain: call your doctor or emergency services
- Fast, deep breathing, a fruity acetone smell on the breath, severe sleepiness, or confusion: call emergency services
- A child with diabetes is drowsy, vomiting, and has ketones: call emergency services
Common questions
Which is more accurate, urine or blood?
Blood shows ketones right now. Urine shows them with a delay. If you have a meter, blood is better for making decisions.
I have ketones but my sugar is normal. Is that dangerous?
It can happen from not eating. But with some diabetes medicines, it is dangerous. Call your doctor.