What Benefit Do Ketone Test Strips Have for People with Diabetes?
Using ketone urine test strips are an accurate, quick and easy way for people with diabetes to know if they are developing or already have DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis). DKA is much more common in type 1 diabetes and can occur in insulin pump users whose pump may have become disconnected. Ketones can form when you have diabetes and suffer from a serious illness such as the flu or pneumonia. Ketones are a byproduct of fat breakdown when the body can’t absorb glucose due to lack of insulin.
How Do You Use Ketone Urine Testing Strips?
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Read all directions that accompany strips
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Collect urine in a clean container
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Dip the ketone strip into the urine
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Remove excess urine by flicking the strip
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Wait the recommended amount of time before reading the strip
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Compare the strip color with the color chart located on the side of the container
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Categories are negative (no ketones), trace, small, moderate or large
When Should I Use Ketone Urine Testing Strips?
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Blood sugars are 250-300mg/dl two times in a row
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During pregnancy, if recommended by your health care provider
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While eating an extremely low carbohydrate diet
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During a serious illness like the flu
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When your mouth is very dry, with excessive thirst, or skin is flushed
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When your breath smells fruity
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When you are feeling foggy, confused or nauseated
Tips for Storing Urinalysis Test Strips
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Protect strips from moisture, sunlight and heat
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Store in the original container in a cool, dry place but not the refrigerator.
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Do not use expired strips
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Dispose of opened strips after 6 months
Top Brands Urine Test Strips
True Plus Ketone Urine Strips - These ketone strips are easy to use and give reliable and accurate results in 15 seconds. It contains a 6-level color chart for greater accuracy of ketone levels. Always consult your doctor when you have moderate to large number of ketones.
Multistix 10 SG Urine Testing Strips - Multistix 10 SG strips are easy to use and offer information about ketone production as well as glucose in the urine. There are several other tests on the urine sample indicating other markers relating to urinary tract infections as well as kidney disorders.