[grace girl]

My endo told me that because I'm type 1.5 that I don't need to concern myself with ketones. Have other's heard this as well? I have never been educated about it, even by my previous Dr who told me I had type 1.

[HelenM]

I find this an interesting question but have been unable to find any useful sources of info on it . So here's my personal ideas on it.


Two years before I was hospitalised at diagnosis I had had a large, rapidweight loss (35kg) which I assume was caused by burning fat and the subsequent production of ketones. I 'knew' I has diabetes but thought that it could be managed by diet and exercise. To some extent I was right, I exercise a lot and that coupled with the residual insulin enabled me to avoid serious problems for a long period.
However, following a few weeks inactivity I started to lose weight again and tried to go on a bike ride during which I started breathing very rapidly and felt that I was about to pass out. That led to the doctors and to hospital. At that point I know I was excreting ketones and was for the first three days in hospital. I certainly had ketosis but don't really know if it would have been diagnosed as DKA.

I assume that whilst there is still some pancreatic function left the natural insulin production normally prevents BS from soaring ever upwards and hence makes DKA less likely than a type 1 who has no insulin production. Once diagnosed injected supplemental insulin means that it becomes even more unlikely.
I have been told to check for ketones if my BS goes above 250 but the highest it has been in 18 months is 180 (and that only once) so I do feel that the natural insulin I'm still producing helps to protect from the fears of DKA. However when (and if) the production stops then I can't see that there will be any difference between type 1.5 and type 1.

[TvBabe]

Originally Posted by grace girl

My endo told me that because I'm type 1.5 that I don't need to concern myself with ketones. Have other's heard this as well? I have never been educated about it, even by my previous Dr who told me I had type 1.

I have also been told that type 1.5's and type 2's cannot have a problem with ketones. HOWEVER I know both type 1.5's and type 2's who have had DKA...it's just not as common.

I always have ketone strips in the house (unopened bottle) just in case. They don't cost alot and I figure it's worth it.

[jeggeman31]

Originally Posted by grace girl

My endo told me that because I'm type 1.5 that I don't need to concern myself with ketones.

I have never been in DKA nor have ever had a a test come out that I had ketones. I do keep ketone strips, and do test when I am very high.

I have no clue about what you are asking, but I think I will ask my Endo next time I go back

[parrotletzoo]

Since ketones occur when the body burns fatstores anyone can have ketones in their urine. (ie non diabetic people on low carb diets will often have moderate ketones because they are burning fat stores instead of consumed carbs.) What is problematic is when it is accompanied by high blood sugars and dehydration for an extended period. DKA happens when ketones, blood sugars and dehydration occur over a period of days. Because people with type 2 produce some insulin they are at a lower risk for ketones because any food the consume will be allowed into cells and when this happens the body isn't forced to burn fat for energy. When someone is type 1 they don't have natural insulin to rely on to respond to highs and the body starts burning fat when bs has been elevated for awhile. With injected insulin type 1s for the most part can avoid it. there are other forces that play a role inketones in diabetics. like illness. stress etc. i'm sure i dont have it all down.but you get the idea. I'm sure type 1.5 are at risk for ketones as their natural insulin production starts to slow down.

another thing i read about ketones that i found sad and yet interesting is that when ketones are present a womans body will abort/miscarry a fetus. So if you are thinking about mommahood keep your bs in control!

[grace girl]

Originally Posted by parrotletzoo

another thing i read about ketones that i found sad and yet interesting is that when ketones are present a womans body will abort/miscarry a fetus. So if you are thinking about mommahood keep your bs in control!

Fortunately, those days are long gone for me

I wonder if some people are more predisposed to this problem? about 4 years ago, just before I was diagnosed as type 1, but after the incorrect type 2 diagnosis, I went into denial and spent about 10 months with no meds, no insulin. I lost 60 pounds, and was generally a wreck, but I never had any problems that caused me to go to a doctor or be hospitalized. If there were keytone issues I wasn't aware of them. It was after relaying this info to my endo that he told me that I didn't need to be concerned about it.
Being new to the endo thing, and being called type 1.5, I just wanted to know if others with this diagnosis are being told the same thing.
If you want to get right down to it, the survey is still out on whether or not I am completely confident with my endo.