Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Question

1. How do I prevent ketones?

Answer

Ketones are formed by the breakdown of fats, usually associated with missing food or not eating very well.  This is made worse during periods of illness when often you do not feel like eating but the body is demanding more food to deal with the increase energy demand of illness.

It is important to not only make sure you are having an adequate carbohydrate intake (if you do not feel like eating have liquids such as Lucozade) matched by adequate insulin intake.  Monitor your blood glucose at each meal time and give the appropriate insulin to cover carbohydrates and add in any correction bolus if your blood glucose is too high.  If you want to learn more about ketones click here.

If your blood glucose continues to rise and you start to be sick with ketones increasing in the urine, you must seek medical help urgently and contact your local diabetes team.  This is called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and can potentially be very serious.  To learn more about DKA click here.

Those on the insulin pump have to be careful and if your blood glucose fails to come down following a bolus, you must change the giving set and if necessary revert to using insulin via the pen if there is any doubt whether the pump is working or not.

If you have any questions you would like to ask us please e-mail me (kate.barker@leedsth.nhs.uk) and I will add your questions to this page and we will answer as soon as possible.  This page will be regularly updated so keep an eye out!!!