KETONES IN URINE TEST

 MICROBIAL HEALTH WORLD

Laboratory Test:

 KETONES IN URINE TEST:

INTRODUCTION:

The detection of ketones in the urine is a simple process that can be performed through a urine dipstick called the ketone in the urine test.

OBJECTIVES:

- The objective of the test is to detect the presence of ketone bodies in the urine.

- The results from the ketones in urine tests can vary from quantitative with a specific number to qualitative as a small, moderate, or a large amount of ketones.

PRINCIPLE:

- The ketone in the urine test detects acetoacetic acid and acetone in the urine.

- The principle of the ketone in the urine test is that the keto-group of acetone and acetoacetic acid reacts with alkaline nitroprusside to form a purple-colored complex.

- Based on the intensity of the color, the quantitative or qualitative analysis of ketone in urine can be done.

PROCEDURE:

1. Before the sample collection, hands should be washed.

2. Then the genital area is cleaned with a cleansing pad. In the case of men, the tip of the penis is wiped. In the case of women, labia should be cleaned from front to back.

3. At least an ounce or two of urine is then collected into the container, which should have markings to indicate the amount.

4. One of the urine dipsticks is taken and is dipped in the container.

5. The strip is taken out and dried by shaking lightly.

6. The color of the strip is observed once the strip is dry.

RESULTS:

The color observed in the strip is then tallied against the chart that comes with the test kit.

Based on the intensity of the purple color, the quantitative analysis of the ketone bodies can be done.

In the case of qualitative analysis the following, the concentration can be detected as follows:

Small: 20 mg/dl

Moderate: 30 to 40 mg/dl

Large: >80 mg/dl

 USES OF TEST:

This test is usually used to monitor people at a higher risk of developing ketones in urine like people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

The detection of ketone bodies in urine is essential as the presence of ketones in urine can be a symptom of a more severe condition like toxic ketoacidosis.

LIMITATION OF TEST:

Because of the imbalance between the concentration of acetone and β-hydroxybutyrate, the number of ketones measured in the urine cannot be considered as the total plasma ketone

The ketone in the urine test only detects acetoacetic acid and not β-hydroxybutyrate.

The ketone strips usually have a short shelf life.

Interference by other substances like vitamin C might give inaccurate results.

(Extracted from Source)