Ketone (acetone) bodies are a natural decay product of fat cells. Their formation in blood plasma occurs continuously. Most of the breakdown product is excreted in the urine. Under the influence of various adverse factors, the concentration of ketone bodies in the body and, accordingly, urine increases significantly. In this case, it is customary to talk about the development of a pathological process.
The presence of acetone in the body is an alarming sign. With untimely treatment of the disease, the risk of developing all kinds of complications that pose a danger not only to health but also to life is significantly increased.
Ketone bodies: concept
In the human body, glucose and glycogen are responsible for replenishing energy reserves. In small quantities, they are found in the liver. Under the influence of any factors (this is not always associated with various kinds of diseases), the concentration of glucose and glycogen in the body decreases to critical values. Against the background of this condition, the process of burning fat tissue starts. In other words, the body is looking for alternative sources of energy. The decomposition products of fat cells are ketone bodies. As an additional source of energy they use the heart, as well as muscle tissue, brain and kidneys.
Thus, it must be understood that ketone bodies in urine are a condition that is not pathological. Normally, they are present not only in urine, but also in the blood of any adult. Ketone bodies are composed of acetone, acetoacetic and beta-hydroxybutyric acids.
It is customary to talk about the pathological process only if their content in the urine is significantly more than the established norms.
Reasons for the increase in adults
Normally, ketone bodies should not be detected in biological material during its study or detected in a minimal amount. This is due to the fact that most of the body of a healthy person is excreted with sweat and exhaled air.
It is important to know that ketone bodies in urine mean that the blood glucose concentration has decreased. The body in this case accelerates the metabolism, during which the breakdown of fat cells, which are an additional energy resource, occurs.
If the content of ketone bodies in the urine is more than the established norm, this may indicate the presence of the following diseases:
- Diabetes mellitus decompensated form.
- Infectious pathologies in the intestine, against the background of which the absorption of vital components is disrupted.
- Neoplasms of both benign and malignant nature. Most often, tumors of the brain, thyroid gland and adrenal glands are diagnosed.
- Thyrotoxicosis.
- Cancer of the stomach or intestines.
- Malignant changes in the hematopoietic system.
- Total anemia.
- Chronic alcoholism.
- Esophageal stenosis.
In addition, ketone bodies are elevated in the urine of people who follow a strict diet or practice regular fasting. Less often, their increased concentration is detected after poisoning with salts of heavy metals and while taking certain medications.
Ketone bodies in urine in children
An increased content of these substances is most often diagnosed in babies under 12 years old. Most often, ketone bodies in the urine of a child appear when an infectious process of a viral nature develops in his body, accompanied by fever.
Often, the pathological condition is also associated with a violation of the absorption of carbohydrates and fats. In this case, the child is often worried about vomiting. In this case, after the release of the masses, a specific smell of acetone is felt. It also appears immediately after the act of urination. With such symptoms, special treatment is not required, it is enough to adjust the baby’s diet, reducing the consumption of fatty foods.
Other causes of increased ketone bodies in the urine of a child:
- Diabetes.
- Infectious lesions of the digestive system.
- Pathology of the liver.
- Thyroid disease.
- Brain neoplasms.
In children with an increased degree of excitability, a metabolic disorder due to a genetic predisposition is often diagnosed. These babies are underweight and often have diathesis.
The reasons for the increase during pregnancy
Sometimes in a future mother ketone bodies are detected in the urine. What does this condition mean, how dangerous it is, why it arose - this is only an incomplete list of questions that arise in every pregnant woman.
An increased concentration of ketone bodies does not always indicate the development of a serious pathology in the body. However, in all cases during pregnancy, hospitalization is indicated. This is due to the need for urgent diagnostic measures. A pregnant woman should not refuse hospitalization, since elevated ketones in the urine pose a threat to the life of the fetus and the health of the expectant mother.
Possible causes of the pathological condition:
- Toxicosis, accompanied by frequent episodes of vomiting.
- Gestosis.
- Frequent use of foods rich in fats and proteins.
- Diseases of bacterial and viral nature.
- Diabetes.
- Pathology of the liver.
- Malignant neoplasms.
It is important to know that ketone bodies in urine are a condition during pregnancy that can lead to premature birth, miscarriage and even coma. In case of disturbing symptoms (feeling unwell, severe tiredness, drowsiness), you should contact a medical institution as soon as possible.
Clinical manifestations
The process of pathological accumulation of ketone bodies in the blood and, accordingly, urine is accompanied by the appearance of alarming signs.
The main clinical manifestations of the disease:
- A specific smell of acetone from the mouth.
- Increased fatigue.
- Nausea, often turning into vomiting.
- A decrease in the degree of physical activity.
- Impaired appetite.
- Pallor of the skin.
- Pain in the navel.
Often these symptoms are accompanied by fever.
Laboratory diagnostics
If you experience the first alarming symptoms (most often it is a specific smell of acetone from the oral cavity), you need to consult a therapist. The doctor will collect an anamnesis and draw up directions for analysis of biological material. The latter can also be taken in independent laboratories, after which you should consult a doctor with your opinion.
Biological material is blood and urine. The study of liquid connective tissue is necessary to assess the concentration of glucose and lipoproteins of both low and high density. Ketone bodies and protein are also determined by urine analysis. During the study of urine, its physical, biochemical and chemical properties are evaluated.
The most clinically significant values are those obtained from a daily urine test. They make it possible to identify pathological processes even at an early stage of their development.
Determination of ketone bodies in urine at home
If specific symptoms occur, special test strips can be purchased at the pharmacy. But it is necessary to remember not only what ketone bodies in urine are, but also that their high concentration is a health hazard. Therefore, after a diagnosis at home, even with normal results, it is recommended to consult a doctor.
Algorithm for using indicator test strips:
- Thoroughly clean the external genitalia with water and regular soap.
- Collect urine in a sterile disposable container or other clean container.
- Pick up a test strip. Submerge it in urine so that the entire indicator zone is in the liquid.
- After 2 seconds, remove the test strip.
- Compare the result with the color scale on the package or in the annotation.
Currently, test strips from various manufacturers are being sold on the pharmaceutical market. They are all identical and have a low cost (usually not more than 100 rubles).
Interpretation of Results
Deciphering the conclusion is not difficult. The interpretation of the results is presented in the table below.
| Urinary ketone concentration | What such a concentration means | Treatment |
| 0 mmol / l | Norm, this result is considered the best. | Not required |
| 0.5 mmol / l (in some laboratories the conclusion indicates "+/-") or 1.5 mmol / l ("+") | Mild condition | Ambulatory |
| 4 mmol / l ("++") | Moderate severity | Outpatient or inpatient (as agreed with the doctor) |
| 10 mmol / l ("+++") | Extremely serious condition | Inpatient (this requires emergency hospitalization) |
Thus, the higher the concentration of ketone bodies in the urine, the greater the likelihood of developing all kinds of complications and death.
Treatment
The treatment regimen directly depends on the disease that caused the deficiency of glucose in the body. If, for example, the cause of this condition is diabetes, emergency administration of insulin and solutions that normalize the water-salt balance are indicated.
In order to eliminate the symptoms of intoxication, enterosorbents are prescribed (Smecta, Sorbex, Polysorb, Enterosgel, etc.).
Power Features
The main point of any treatment is the adjustment of the diet. The diet is aimed at normalizing the carbohydrate metabolism.
It is recommended to include the following products in the menu:
- Yesterday's baking bread made from flour of the 1st or 2nd grade.
- Vegetable soups.
- Borsch without meat.
- Milk soups.
- Cottage cheese with a minimum percentage of fat.
- Yogurt.
- Kefir.
- Sour cream (in a minimum quantity, only for dressing dishes).
- Low-fat fish.
- Fascia and tendon free meat. It should also be non-greasy.
- Vegetables (except radish, radish).
From the diet it is necessary to exclude:
- Fresh bread.
- Products from the dough (both from butter and puff).
- Broths (mushroom, meat, fish).
- High-fat fermented milk products.
- Canned food.
- Fatty fish.
- Offal.
- Fatty meats.
- Spinach.
- Mushrooms.
- Chives.
- Garlic.
All meals must be cooked, baked or steamed. Fried food in the presence of ketone bodies in the urine is strictly forbidden.
It is recommended to eat 4-5 times a day. Moreover, the size of one serving should not exceed 200 g.
Subject to a therapeutic diet, ketone bodies are much more rapidly excreted from the body. Ignoring the need to follow its principles significantly reduces the degree of effectiveness of drug treatment.
Finally
Under the influence of any factors, the glucose concentration may decrease to critical values. In this case, the body begins to look for alternative sources of energy. It starts the process of splitting fat cells. Ketone bodies are one of the products of their decay. Normally, they are not found in urine or are detected in a minimal concentration. This is due to the fact that they are almost completely excreted along with sweat and exhaled air. Elevated ketone bodies in the urine indicate the development of a pathological process.