Diabetes and ketones

What are ketones?

Ketones (pronounced key-tones) are produced when your body gets energy by breaking down fat instead of sugar. This can happen for one of two reasons, if you do not have enough insulin in your blood, or if there simply isnât enough sugar available. In people who do not have diabetes, a low level of ketones is normal, and not harmful. They appear during fasting and after prolonged exercise. In people without diabetes, glucose, insulin and ketones work together to supply the body with the energy it needs.

In diabetes, ketones are produced when blood glucose is not well controlled.

What is diabetic ketoacidosis?

Ketones are acidic. A low level of ketones will not have much effect, but as the levels increase, and the blood contains a significant level, it will become acidic. The name for this is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a significant risk for insulin users. At very high ketone levels, DKA requires emergency medical treatment. If untreated it can be fatal.

The first signs of DKA are increased urination and thirst, while later symptoms can include nausea and vomiting which can lead to dehydration.