Is it normal for urinary ketones to be positive and negative?
Disease description:
Recently, I went to the hospital for a checkup, and the lab results showed that my urine ketone test was one positive and one negative. I would like to ask the doctor, is it normal for urine ketones to be one positive and one negative?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Guang
Urinary ketone testing is a method to assess the status of fat metabolism in the body. A trace positive (i.e., weakly positive) result for urinary ketones may represent either a physiological or pathological response. Specific explanations are as follows:
1. Normal conditions: In situations such as prolonged fasting, after strenuous exercise, or during pregnancy, the body may experience relative carbohydrate deficiency, leading to increased fat breakdown and the production of small amounts of ketones. This can result in a trace positive urinary ketone test, which does not necessarily indicate an abnormality. Additionally, urinary ketone levels may increase under conditions such as low-carbohydrate diets, fasting, or diabetes. Which specific ketone body is more prominent depends on the individual's metabolic state.
2. Abnormal conditions: If urinary ketones remain persistently weakly positive or become clearly positive, it may suggest the presence of certain abnormalities. In patients with diabetes, particularly those with poorly controlled blood glucose levels, excessive fat breakdown due to impaired glucose utilization can lead to increased ketone production, resulting in positive or even strongly positive urinary ketone tests. In severe cases, diabetic ketoacidosis can develop, which is a life-threatening condition.
