Acetone, Urine Test

The Acetone-Urine test is a simple urine test to detect the level of acetones in the body. When the acetones in the blood go above a certain level, a number of hormones, including glucagon, epinephrine, and growth hormone can cause fatty acids to be released from body fat (adipose tissue) into the blood. The levels of these hormones increase in starvation, uncontrolled diabetes, and a number of other conditions. This test is also performed to confirm Diabetes Ketoacidosis, Ketonuria and also during the treatment and after treatment of Diabetes Ketoacidosis, Ketonuria to check the efficacy of the prescribed medicines.

No special preparation is needed for Acetone-Urine test. You can drink water normally. However, you need to inform the laboratory professional if you are on any medications or have any underlying medical conditions or allergies before undergoing Acetone-Urine test. The laboratory professional depending on your condition will give specific instructions. Also, certain types of diet can alter the test results. For example, a diet low in carbohydrates and high in protein can change the acetone levels. You need to consult the laboratory professional for the same.

As mentioned above this test is used to find the levels of presence of acetones in your body. When acetone develops, it doesn't usually become dangerous right away, but it does cause the blood to become too acidic. In advanced and prolonged cases, it can become serious, damaging internal organs and even proving fatal. Likewise, the presence of acetones in the body of a pregnant woman can harm her unborn child. In such cases it is imperative for the doctor to order this test.

You will be asked to give a urine sample in a container. The laboratory professional will provide you with proper instructions for collecting the urine sample. The laboratory professional will then dip the acetone testing strip in the urine sample. The laboratory professional will take notice of any color change in the testing strip owing to the presence of acetones.