Presence of ketones in the urine is an indication of the body start metabolizes fat. Both diabetics and persons on low-carbohydrate diets may test their urine for ketones daily.
Ketone test overview
Normally, no ketones are available in the urine. In low carbohydrate metabolism situations, ketones appear in the urine in large amounts before serum ketones are elevated. The reagent detects as little as 5-10 mg/dl acetoacetic (ketones) in urine.
Ketone testing procedure
Ketone urine-testing strips have a small absorptive pad; it contains a chemical reagent that changes color (usually within 15-20 seconds) in the presence of ketones in the urine. The ketone-strips change to varying shades of pink and purple. The ketone-strips' container has a scale on the label, with illustrative blocks of color to help you identify the shade of your ketone-testing strip.
Ketone test strips handling procedure
The chemical reagent on the ketone test strip is very sensitive to moisture, including moisture in the air, so be sure to keep the lid of the container tightly closed at all times. In addition, keep your hands dry when using the strip. Once you open the container seal, ketone strips have a shelf life of only six months for a reliable result.
Ketone test strips usage procedure:
- It is best to collect first morning urine sample in a clean, dry container.
- Confirm that your hand is dry.
- Take out one reagent strip from the bottle and immediately close container tightly, to minimize exposure to moisture.
- Immerse the tip of the reagent strip in the urine sample and then takeout immediately to avoid dissolving of reagent in the strip.
- Run the edges of the strip against the rim to avoid urine spills.
- Wait for some seconds (15 – 20 seconds) for the reaction to carry over and color change to take place.
- Compare the color change of the reagent strip to that of the color chart provided in the container.