Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood
- Fasting: Fasting for 8 hours is required
- Turnaround: 3–10 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
What This Test Measures
This test measures the amount of beta-hydroxybutyrate, a type of ketone, in your blood. Ketones are produced by your liver when your cells don't have enough glucose for energy and your body breaks down stored fat for fuel instead. When ketones build up too quickly in the blood, they can make the blood acidic, a serious condition called ketoacidosis.
This single blood specimen test helps identify elevated ketone levels associated with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a condition that mainly affects people with type 1 diabetes and sometimes those with type 2 diabetes. It does not measure blood glucose directly.
Benefits
- Measures beta-hydroxybutyrate, the primary ketone involved in DKA
- Helps identify elevated ketone levels in your blood
- Supports evaluation of symptoms associated with diabetic ketoacidosis
- Can be used to screen high-risk individuals for DKA development
- Requires only a single blood draw
Who Is This Test For?
- People currently experiencing symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis
- Individuals with type 1 diabetes at risk for DKA
- Individuals with type 2 diabetes at risk for DKA
- High-risk individuals wanting to screen for DKA development
How It Works
- Order Your Test Online
- Visit a Local Lab
- Get Results Online
FAQ
1. Do I need to fast or prepare for this test?
Fasting for 8 hours is required before this blood draw. Plan your test appointment around this window so your sample reflects an accurate fasting state.
2. How quickly will I get results?
Results are typically available in 3 to 10 days. Weather, holidays, or lab delays may extend this timeframe.
3. What can my results tell me?
Your beta-hydroxybutyrate level reflects how much ketone activity is currently present in your blood. Elevated levels may point toward the ketone buildup seen in diabetic ketoacidosis, while levels within the expected range suggest ketone activity is not currently elevated.
4. What factors can affect my results?
Not fasting for the full 8 hours before your blood draw can affect ketone levels and the accuracy of your result. Because ketones form when the body burns fat for fuel, recent food intake plays a direct role in what your sample shows.
5. How do I interpret the results?
Interpreting a beta-hydroxybutyrate result depends on your symptoms, your fasting status at the time of collection, and any known diabetes history. A single elevated or normal ketone level does not, on its own, confirm or exclude diabetic ketoacidosis. Your healthcare provider can place your result in the context of your overall health picture.
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
6. What should I do if my results are abnormal?
Share an abnormal result with a qualified healthcare provider as soon as possible, since DKA can progress quickly. Your provider can determine whether additional evaluation or testing is appropriate based on your symptoms and overall health.
Pre-test preparation
Fasting for 8 hours is required before this test.
