Blood Ketones

[Lorna]

Hiya!

Does anyone else monitor blood ketones? If so, what test strips do you use? I did have the opium keto-B electrodes. However, I was told today that they were no longer available.

Also, I know any result other than negative is a problem, but when you are testing blood what sort of levels constitute a serious problem?

[koblenz]

I only check when I show up with a BS over 300; which thankfully is very rare!

I use the (newer) Precision Xtra Blood Glucose Monitor with the Blood Ketone test strips. Supposed to be much better than pee'ing on a stick as your numbers are more "real" time with a blood measurement.

Meter: http://www.diabeteshealthconnection.com/products/monitors/precision/precisionxtra.aspx

Strips: Search CVS online for "Precision Xtra Ketone".

Not cheap, but as I only use one every blue moon...

[JasonJayhawk]

I've never monitored for ketones. Then again, I always treat highs, and since I test glucose ten times a day, there is no reason to do so.

Ketones happen in everyone. I'd rather spend my time keeping my glucose normal, than to react to something that "really" is bad. Basically, ketones are the second alarm bell... the first is the high blood glucose.

The first alarm is always best, unless it's an alarm clock.

[Lorna]

:- Thing is Ive been having some positive ketone readings without the highs just cos my body seems to be running out if insulin, so think I need to start monitoring it more closely and regularly so I catch it before I'm ill, ie at a stage before it is showing up in my urine.

[sofaraway]

my understanding is that up to 0.6 is normal.

http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/d_0n_030.htm

i use the strips that go with the optimum xceed meter.