Show Medically Reviewed by Dan Brennan, MD on June 05, 2021 Ketonuria happens when you have high levels of ketones in your urine. It is commonly seen in people with diabetes. It can also happen during pregnancy. Here is what you need to know about ketonuria, along with its causes, symptoms, and treatment. Ketones, or ketone bodies, are acidic molecules made in your liver. When the liver breaks down cells, fat, or protein to give you energy, it makes ketones as by-products. Your body uses these ketones to give you energy when it doesn’t have enough glucose. Normally, very small amounts of ketones are released as waste in your urine. If you are fasting or have health conditions like diabetes, your body makes more ketones than it can use. This increases the levels of ketone bodies in your liver. Your body tries to get rid of them when you pee, resulting in high ketone levels in urine, or ketonuria. High ketone levels in your body can cause an increase in acid buildup in your blood. This is called ketoacidosis, which can be harmful to your body. You can develop Ketonuria because of: Keto diet. Ketonuria is common in people who follow the keto diet. A ketogenic diet involves cutting out and limiting carbohydrates and eating fats and protein for energy. This low-calorie diet makes your body use fats and protein as fuel, which causes ketone formation and excretion. Fasting. Fasting for long periods of time or the intermittent fasting diet can lead to ketonuria. During fasting, your liver starts to use up fat and protein reserves in your body to keep it going. This causes ketone formation and ketonuria. Diabetes mellitus. When your body has low insulin levels, your cells can’t store or use glucose for energy. This results in high blood sugar or diabetes. Your body is left with no option but to break down fats and proteins for energy. This results in the formation of ketone bodies as waste products. These ketones pile up in your body and can even enter your blood, causing diabetic ketoacidosis. Ketonuria is common in people with diabetes, as their body tries to eliminate excess ketones through urine. Renal glycosuria. This is a rare health condition that makes your body release glucose through urine. It happens when the tubules in your kidney don’t function properly. Renal glycosuria lowers your sugar levels. This causes your liver to burn fats and protein for energy, which results in ketonuria. Glycogen storage disease. Your body stores glucose as glycogen as an energy source. When glycogen can’t be stored properly, you can develop this metabolic disease. It forces your liver to use sources other than glycogen for energy. This causes ketones to be expelled through your urine. Other causes. You can also develop ketonuria due to other factors, like:
Ketonuria can also develop in people who have heart procedures like bypass surgery. Ketonuria often follows or causes ketoacidosis. High levels of ketones in your body can be dangerous. Symptoms you must look for include:
Doctors can find if you have ketonuria by checking for symptoms and through blood and urine tests. Some commonly used tests to check for ketones include:
Ketonuria caused by fasting or diet doesn’t require treatment and will resolve on its own. But it is a serious concern when it happens due to an underlying condition.
If you have diabetes, it is important to control your blood sugar levels. Closely monitor your blood glucose levels and check for symptoms to prevent ketonuria and complications that can happen because of it.
Pregnancy brings a whole new outlook on life. There is excitement, no doubt, but there are pregnancy symptoms and health concerns too. Some symptoms of pregnancy are quite common and can be dealt with easily with simple remedies, while some might need medical attention. Similarly, pregnancy-related health conditions are better diagnosed early on for proper treatment. One condition, which can be distressing for pregnant women is having ketones in the urine. In this article, we shall talk about what ketones are, its causes, treatment and prevention. What are we waiting for then? Let’s begin with what ketones in urine are. What Are Ketones?Our body gets energy and glucose from the food that we consume. The changing pregnancy hormones can prevent the cells from using up the glucose, leading to a glucose deficiency. In case of the deficiency of this element, the body starts using up the fat reserves to attain the required energy. This condition leads to the production of ketones. Some of the causes that contribute to the presence of ketones in the urine are:
Once the cause is known, testing can be done to know the levels of ketones to make the diagnosis. Diagnosis and TestsA gynaecologist will test the levels of ketones in the urine through urine and/or blood test. If the ketone levels are high, additional tests will be suggested to rule out gestational diabetes. Now, you are probably wondering who should take the ketone test. Read on to know more. Most of the times, gynaecologists would suggest would-be-mothers to take a ketone test if they show any of the symptoms given above, but women with Type 1 diabetes are more susceptible to developing ketones than those with a Type 2 blood sugar condition. Therefore, you should take the test if you’re pregnant and:
How to Test for Ketones At HomeYes, it’s possible to check the ketone levels at home, too! For this, you need to buy a testing strip from a pharmacy. As soon as you wake up in the morning, collect your urine in a clean container and dip the strip into it. Take the strip out and leave it undisturbed for a few minutes. Compare the colour of the strip to the colour guide on the testing kit. The result ranges from negative to large. Can the Presence of Ketones in the Urine Harm Your Baby?If present in small amounts, ketones don’t pose a risk to the pregnancy. But high levels of ketones can lead to pregnancy complications like ketonuria. Higher levels of ketones in the urine may also be indicative of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Some studies indicate that babies born to mothers with high ketone levels may develop learning disabilities. How Can the Production of Ketones Be Prevented?You can prevent the production of ketones during pregnancy by eating a balanced and nutritious diet throughout. Avoid fasting and have meals on time. Refrain from taking long gaps between meals. Instead, satiate your hunger with healthy snacks. While you’re pregnant, it’s important to keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Taking adequate rest is also important during pregnancy. If you have any concerns about your diet, consult a nutritionist for proper guidance. Maintaining a food journal or diary can prove helpful in keeping a control on your calories. Traces of ketones in the urine during pregnancy isn’t a serious issue. However, the presence of higher levels of ketones requires proper diagnosis and suitable treatment to prevent any likely complications. Also Read: Proteins during Pregnancy |
What is considered high ketones in urine during pregnancy?
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