What does high urine ketones mean?

High urine ketone levels are usually caused by various factors, including physiological and pathological causes. Physiological factors—such as insufficient water intake, intense physical exercise, and pregnancy-related reactions—may increase fat breakdown in the body, thereby leading to elevated urine ketones. Pathological factors are more complex and include conditions like diabetes, infectious diseases, and malnutrition, all of which can cause metabolic abnormalities resulting in increased urine ketones. For individuals with high urine ketones, it is recommended to first identify the underlying cause and then treat accordingly. For physiological causes, improvements can be made by increasing fluid intake, adjusting diet, and modifying exercise routines. For pathological causes, such as in diabetic patients, active blood glucose control using insulin or other antihyperglycemic medications is essential; for infectious diseases, antibiotics or other anti-infective agents should be used. Additionally, maintaining healthy lifestyle and dietary habits can also help reduce urine ketone levels.