Clinically, elevated blood ketone bodies may be commonly caused by the following reasons, such as after a long period of starvation or the patient has diabetic ketoacidosis. Ketone bodies are the product of the body’s breakdown of fat, generally speaking, the body mainly breaks down glucose to provide energy, only when the body’s glucose is insufficient, the body will break down fat to supplement energy.
Prolonged starvation will cause the body to reduce glucose intake, the body began to break down fat to provide energy, this time is the ketone body is elevated, the blood ketone is also elevated.
Diabetic ketoacidosis is because most of the body’s glucose is excreted through the urine, the body’s glucose content is reduced, the body begins to break down fat to supplement energy, which will also lead to elevated blood ketones.
Elevated blood ketones should be observed to see if it is caused by hunger, if not to be highly suspicious of diabetes, the patient should be instructed to pay attention to eating habits, may also need insulin for treatment.
If there is any discomfort, prompt medical attention should be sought.