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Ketones - urine - Results

Alternative Names

Ketone bodies - urine; Urine ketones

Normal Values:

A negative test result is normal. When ketones are present in the urine, the results are usually listed as small, moderate, or large with these corresponding values:

Small: < 20 mg/dL

Moderate: 30 - 40 mg/dL

Large: > 80 mg/dL

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

What abnormal results mean:

A positive test may indicate:

  • Abnormal nutritional conditions
    • Anorexia
    • Fasting
    • High protein or low carbohydrate diets
    • Starvation
  • Disorders of increased metabolism
    • Acute or severe illness
    • Burns
    • Fever
    • Hyperthyroidism
    • Nursing a baby (lactation)
    • Postsurgical condition
    • Pregnancy
  • Metabolic abnormalities, including uncontrolled diabetes or glycogen storage disease
  • Vomiting frequently over a long period of time
  • Reviewed last on: 11/30/2009
  • David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Herbert Y. Lin, MD, PHD, Nephrologist, Massachusetts General Hospital; Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Inzucchi SE, Sherwin RS. Type 1 diabetes mellitus. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 247.

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