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Medical Video: Diabetes Symptoms & Treatments : Testing for Diabetes
Testing glucose (blood sugar) in your urine is a way to find out how your body treats excess glucose. Generally, the human body does not "shed" glucose into the urine, unless the levels have become very high in your bloodstream. The high level of sugar in your urine can be a signal that something is wrong in the way your body manages glucose.
However, a urine test cannot test your current glucose level. It only provides insight into what has happened since the last time you defecated. This is why blood glucose testing is the main test for glucose which actually has more accurate levels and gives you an instant picture of what is happening in your bloodstream.
Ketones in urine
The body produces ketones when it starts using fat and not carbohydrates (such as glucose) as fuel or energy for the body. When your body is healthy, insulin helps cells absorb glucose that flows in the bloodstream as energy for us to breathe, think, move and carry out other bodily functions. When cells do not absorb glucose, there will be a buildup of glucose in the bloodstream and the body will need energy very much. Of course, the body converts fat to energy and begins to take off its own tissue.
While under stress, there may be a small amount of ketones in your urine. Often this happens if you are pregnant, having a very low carbohydrate diet, stress, or if you have fasted more than 18 hours. A small amount of ketone is usually not too worrying, but this may be a clue that you need to continue to monitor the effectiveness of your diabetes management program.
Moderate amounts of ketones in urine can signal that your diabetes can start out of control. If left untreated, the ketones in your body will continue to increase and a condition called ketoacidosis will develop. This is a life-threatening condition and immediately requires medical assistance. Other symptoms of ketoacidosis are vomiting, nausea, daze, reddish dry skin, and bad breath. If left untreated, this serious disease can cause brain swelling, coma, and even death.
If you have diabetes, do some testing at home to occasionally monitor ketones in your urine. If you have a blood glucose level of more than 300 mg / dL (16.7 mmol / L) or feel the symptoms listed above, a urine test to see ketones with sophisticated equipment can quickly prevent ketoacidosis and even save your life.
Treatment of ketoacidosis is a treatment by inserting fluids into intravenously with insulin. In hospitals, medical professionals can also help you identify why you have high ketone levels in your blood. This is a key component for preventing future diseases.
If you are pregnant and have gestational diabetes, it is important to take a test to see ketone levels. During pregnancy, insulin needs can change along with hormonal changes and lifestyle. Identifying the amount of ketone in your urine earlier will help you understand whether you need more insulin or need to adjust your diet. This makes mother and child safe, and reduces the effects of gestational diabetes that babies can have.
