What it means
Ketones spill into the urine when the body burns fat instead of glucose, as in uncontrolled diabetes, fasting, a very low-carbohydrate diet, or vomiting that keeps a person from eating, such as hyperemesis in pregnancy. The dipstick changes color to show none, small, moderate or large amounts. It shows ketones made over the past few hours, so it lags behind a blood test.
For the nurse
Teach clients with type 1 diabetes to check urine or blood ketones when glucose stays high (often above 240 mg/dL) or they are ill, and when to call the provider.
At a glance
| Normal range | Negative |
|---|---|
| Also written | urine ketone test, ketonuria test, urine ketone |
Related terms
diabetic ketoacidosis
A state of high blood glucose, ketones in the blood and acidic blood, caused by a lack of insulin.
ketone
An acid made by the liver when the body burns fat for energy instead of glucose.
serum ketones
A blood test for ketones, acids the body makes when it burns fat for energy instead of sugar.