Beta Hydroxybutyrate measurement in blood

#1

Last physical I noticed “ketones” measured as “1+” so I reminded my PCP I’d like to measure my blood ketones when I did the next blood work

What she asked for and got was Beta Hydroxybutyrate which clocked in at 5.2. SO I google it and get this

" The reference range is less than 0.4-0.5 mmol/L. Levels of more than 1 mmol/L require further action, whereas levels of more than 3 mmol/L require immediate medical review. "

Naturally I am assuming that there is no way I am at dangerously high levels of this but does this have any meaning for me? Is it a high/moderate/low level or can you not say…

TIA

(Cancer Fighting Ketovore :)) #2

As long as your glucose levels aren’t high then I wouldn’t worry about the ketones.

As to it being high/moderate/low… probably on the higher side of what ketoers can see. I can get to around 4.0 on blood ketones by around 48 hours fasted. I have rarely gone over 6, personally. Compared to the reference range its “high” :smiley: Do you track your own ketones? Having a one-time measurement isn’t particularly helpful.

#3

Well… my triglycerides are great, ike 50, down from 200+ a year ago.

My blood sugar numbers seem to be about 100 fasting. I never measure them except at physicals

(bulkbiker) #4

Its advice for T1 diabetics who are at risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) with high blood sugars and high ketone levels. For almost anyone else (especially people not taking any medication and following a ketogenic diet) its not relevant.

#5

What should I ask for (if anything) to indicate degree of ketosis? Or should I even care?

(bulkbiker) #6

Blood ketone meters measure beta-hydroxy so that’s what they measured… your level of 5.2 mmol/l I can only get to on a three day fast but it simply means you are producing quite a lot of ketones.
I’m not sure what your question means… you asked for and got the right test.

(Bob M) #7

In about 4 years of (inconsistent) tracking, the highest value I’ve seen is 4.7. But I did not start tracking until about two years into LC/keto and 1/1/20, it’ll be six years for me. I’m tracking again now and my normal morning ketones are 0.5 every morning, kinda without fail.

#8

Thanks. That is what I thought and was confused by your first response. The clarification was useful.

#9

I got this from KetoVale website:

Research shows that during ketosis, approximately 78 percent of the ketone bodies in your blood is made up of BHB while 20 percent are acetoacetate and only two percent are acetone.

In other words, the ratio of BHB to acetoacetate is usually around 3:1 in most people during ketosis, but it can get as high as 7:1.

Technically speaking, BHB is not really a ketone because it is reduced to a hydroxyl group when it’s processed in the body, but it is often classified as one.