What Ketones Are

Your cells need fuel to work. Insulin is like a key that lets sugar into them. Without enough insulin, sugar stays in the blood.

The cells cannot get the fuel they need. So the body starts burning fat instead. Burning fat makes acids called ketones. These can build up in your blood and urine.

Ketones can build up faster in two situations. The first is very high blood sugar. The second is illness, which pushes the body harder than usual. Both can make ketones rise faster than normal.

Knowing these two situations helps you notice a problem sooner.

High ketones are a warning sign that needs prompt attention. Think of them like a warning light on a car dashboard. The light means act soon, not later. Do not wait for the light to go off on its own.

Ask your care team which ketone level means you should call them right away.

A cluster of plump yellow fat cells sits on the left, with a short arrow leading to a tall measuring cylinder labelled Ketones. As the fat cells shrink, ketone drops travel along the arrow and the level in the cylinder rises. A ketone test strip beside it turns amber, then red, with a pointer on the matching colour square, and last a phone and an ambulance show getting medical help now.

Key takeaways

• Without enough insulin, the body burns fat, and that makes ketone acids.
• Very high blood sugar and illness can make ketones build up faster.
• High ketones are a warning sign that needs prompt attention.

Try it

Today, find the ketone level your care team wants you to call about, and note it.