Why Are My Ketones High In Two Consecutive Urine Tests?

Posted on Tue, 19 Jun 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 19 Jun 2018 Answered on

Wed, 22 Dec 2021 Last reviewed on

Question : I have shown high ketones in two consecutive urine tests. Blood work cam e back perfect. Why are my ketones high? I do not have diabetes.

Answered by Dr. Malik (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Likely strenuous physical exercises, fasting or low calorie intake

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Healthy person may also have high ketone bodies (ketones) in the urine. Any time the body starts to use body fat as a source of energy the fat is broken down into fatty acids and in the liver ketone bodies get synthesized from the fatty acids and ketone bodies appear in the urine. The ketone bodies are utilized as a source of energy mostly by muscle or brain tissues. In diabetes, because glucose cannot enter into the tissues the body starts to use body fat as a source of energy. Besides diabetes doing strenuous physical exercises, fasting, low calorie intake, low carbohydrate diet or drinking alcohol may cause production of ketones.
If your blood glucose is normal, it is highly likely you are either fasting/dieting or doing strenuous exercises.

I hope I have answered your question. Please, feel free to ask me if there is anything else you need to know. I will be happy to help you further.
Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj