An individual with Type 1 diabetes needs to be under a strict diet and routine to keep the disease under control. Apart from taking the right diet and medicine, another part of diabetes management is Ketone testing. Individuals with Type 1 diabetes are recommended to have ketone testing supplies handy at home to prevent complications. Additionally, individuals with other types of diabetes or who are dependent on insulin should also go for ketone testing. The most accurate method of testing for ketone is by using a reliable ketone blood meter. Let’s find out how this device can help in diabetes management.
Table of Contents
A brief about Ketone testing
Ketosis is a procedure where the body produces ketones by breaking down fats. Ketones are known as an alternative source of energy to sugar which is often produced if the body is unable to produce enough insulin. Insufficient insulin means the body can’t draw the appropriate amount of sugar from the blood. As a result, the body will break down fats to produce ketones.
A high level of ketones in the body can lead to organ damage and other severe illness since a higher level of ketones makes the blood acidic. Hence, people with any form of diabetes should consider doing Ketone testing frequently to keep their health in check.
What is a ketone blood meter and how is it beneficial?
A blood ketone meter is a device that allows one to measure the level of ketones in the body. When a person is on insulin, he/she is often prescribed a ketone meter by the general physician. Individuals following a ketogenic diet are also prescribed to use ketone meters. Here’s when one should test for ketones:
- If the blood sugar level rises over 17mmol/l.
- If the sugar level consistently remains over 13mmol/l.
- If an individual is suffering from any ketoacidosis symptoms.
How to do a ketone blood test at home?
A ketone blood test using strips is pretty easy to conduct. However, it should be noted that these strips are for one-time use and are quite costly. Therefore one should choose the correct strip for the correct meter. It’s better to get help from experts while purchasing the strips for the first time.
Follow the steps below to carry out a ketone blood test:
- Insert the strip inside the ketone meter.
- Prick the tip of a finger by using the lancing device. It is recommended to insert the lancing device only on the finger and not in any other part of the body.
- One needs to squeeze the finger to push out a large drop of blood.
- Next, touch the ketone strip on the drop of blood and allow it to soak.
- Wait for a few seconds till the reading is shown on the meter.
Pro tip: One must purchase specified ketone strips since glucose strips won’t work for ketone testing.
Conclusion
Diabetic patients and individuals following a ketogenic diet should always keep a set of ketone testing strips and a blood ketone meter handy at home. It can be used instantly to measure ketone levels if one is feeling unwell or if the blood sugar level rises suddenly. However, it is important to choose a trusted brand that can provide accurate results.