How To Perform Urine Ketone Tests at Home

A urine ketone test is a test that you do at home to measure the amount of ketones in your urine. Ketones are waste products that are produced when the body divides fat into smaller pieces (breaks down fat) to use for energy.

The body uses fat for energy when it cannot use blood sugar (glucose), such as when your body does not produce enough insulin (diabetes mellitus).

You may need to take this test to make sure that your body:

• Is producing ketones, if you are on a special diet that forces your body to use fat for energy (ketogenic diet).
• Is not producing ketones, if you have diabetes. A large amount of ketones are a sign of very high blood glucose (hyperglycemia). Hyperglycemia may lead to a dangerous complication of diabetes called diabetic ketoacidosis.

Supplies needed:

• Ketone test strips.
• A clean container.
• A place to write down your results.
• Clean water and soap.

How to perform a urine ketone test

Ketone tests are available at your pharmacy without a prescription. Before you buy a test, check the expiration date to make sure that the test has not expired. Follow the instructions that are included with the test. Instructions usually include the following steps:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water.
2. Urinate into a clean container. Do not let any toilet paper or stool (feces) get into the cup.
3. Dip a ketone test strip into your urine, then quickly remove the strip.
4. Watch to see if the test strip pad changes color. The instructions will tell you how long to wait for a change.
5. Compare the color of your test strip pad to the color chart that is listed on the test strip bottle.
6. Record your results as told by your health care provider.
7. Wash your hands with soap and water again.

How often should I perform urine ketone tests?

• If you are on a ketogenic diet, you will need to use urine ketone tests regularly to make sure that your body is burning fat for energy. Ask your health care provider how often you should check urine ketones.
• If you have diabetes, ask your health care provider when and how often you should check for ketones. Your health care provider may tell you to test for ketones when:
  • Your blood glucose level is greater than 240 mg/dL.
  • You have a cold, flu, fever, vomiting, or nausea.
  • You are pregnant.
  • You are very thirsty or have a very dry mouth.
  • You suddenly feel confused.

What do my results mean?

If you are on a ketogenic diet:

It is normal to have a certain level of ketones in your urine. Ask your health care provider about your target ketone level.

If you have diabetes:

A test result that shows ketones in your urine is considered abnormal. The amount of ketones in your urine may be described as:

• Small: Less than 20 mg/dL.
• Moderate: 30–40 mg/dL.
• Large: More than 80 mg/dL.

These values vary depending on the exact kind of test strips that you use.

If you have a small amount of ketones, your health care provider may recommend that you:

• Drink plenty of fluids (2 or more large glasses of water, for example).
• Test your urine for ketones every 2 hours until you find no more ketones in your urine.

If you have a moderate to large amount of ketones, you should contact your health care provider right away. You should also test your blood glucose. Moderate to large ketone levels can be dangerous and should be treated right away.

Summary

• A urine ketone test is a test that you do at home to measure the amount of ketones that are passed through your urine. These tests are available without a prescription.
• You may need to take this test at home if you are on a ketogenic diet or if you have diabetes.
• If you have diabetes, you may need to test your urine for ketones when your blood sugar (glucose) is greater than 240 mg/dL, when you are very thirsty or have a very dry mouth, or when you are sick.
• If you have diabetes and you find moderate to large amounts of urine ketones, you should contact your health care provider right away.