What are Ketostix Reagent Strips for Ketone Urinalysis 

Ketostix is a product that is used for ketone detection. It detects ketones from your urine and is an alternative to blood testing.

Ketostix changes colour depending on the level of ketones found in your urine. Colours range from beige to deep purple to display a level of ketones in your urine.

Use Ketostix urine reagent test strips to monitor ketones to ensure the body is not using too much fat for energy.

When should you test for ketones

• When you have a cold, the flu or any other illness.
• When your urine sugar test results show significant amounts of sugar (2% or more for two or more tests in a row or several days in a row)
• When you feel the signs of high blood sugar (over 13.3 mmol/L) or when your blood sugar is over the range your doctor had set for you (if you monitor your blood glucose)
• When you are under stress (e.g. at home, school, or work)
• Regularly during pregnancy

What are Ketones

Ketones are a type of acid left over when your body burns some of its fat for fuel. Your body burns fat if it can't get enough glucose to use for energy. When your body burns too much fat too quickly, ketones may be in your blood, and Ketones pass from your bloodstream into your urine.

Why Would My Body Have Trouble Using Glucose?

Glucose is the first fuel your body burns for energy. Your body needs insulin to help move glucose from your bloodstream into body cells for power. Insulin is a hormone that is made in the pancreas. If too little insulin is in the bloodstream to help the glucose get into cells, the body looks for other fuel to burn. When the body burns stored fat, ketones build up in the body. Too many ketones in the bloodstream can lead to a severe problem called ketoacidosis.

What is DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis)?

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a severe complication of diabetes that can be life-threatening. DKA is most common among people with type 1 diabetes, and people with type 2 diabetes can also develop DKA.

DKA Signs and Symptoms

DKA usually develops slowly. Early symptoms include:

• Being very thirsty.
• Urinating a lot more than usual.

If untreated, more severe symptoms can appear quickly, such as:

• Fast, deep breathing.
• Dry skin and mouth.
• Flushed face.
• Fruity-smelling breath.
• Headache.
• Muscle stiffness or aches.
• Being very tired.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Stomach pain.

Sometimes DKA is the first sign of diabetes in people who haven't yet been diagnosed.

Causes of DKA

• Very high blood sugar and low insulin levels lead to DKA. The two most common causes are:
• Illness. When you get sick, you may not be able to eat or drink as much as usual, making blood sugar levels hard to manage.
• Missing insulin shots, a clogged insulin pump, or the wrong insulin dose.

Test Results  

You should test for ketones if you have any of the symptoms of DKA. Call your doctor if your ketones are moderate or high. Elevated ketones are a sign of DKA, a medical emergency that must be treated immediately.

How to use Ketostix Reagent Strips for Ketone Urinalysis 

Ketostix urine analysis strips are easy to use. Here are the steps to use these strips:

• Gather supplies such as a cup for a urine sample, a ketostix and a watch/timer
• Wash your hands with soap and water
• Remove the strip from the plastic packaging carefully without breaking or damaging the ribbon.
• Collect a urine sample in the cup – the cup must be clean and dry
• Dip the test end of the strip into the urine and remove it quickly
• After 15 seconds, check the test strip's colour and match it with the colour chart that comes with the package

What do Ketostix Reagent Strips for Ketone Urinalysis contain

50 x Test Strips