Why Test Ketone?

Ketones are a type of acid produced when there is a shortage of insulin in the blood and your body breaks down fat for fuel. The accumulation and elevated level of ketones will lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DHA) which is a potentially life-threatening complication in diabetes patients, especially those with type1 diabetes.

American Diabetes Association now recommends testing your ketone level on sick days or blood glucose more than 300 mg/dL. A study in a New York Hospital also showed that if DKA was prevented at home, it could prevent physician visit, emergency department visit, and even hospital or intensive care admission.

  • Your cells can not use glucose for energy.

  • Your body begin to burn fat, this process produce ketone.

  • Ketone build up in the blood make it more acidic.

  • Ketoacidosis is serious and dangerous

Who Should Test Ketone?

  • Diabetes patients

  • Being often to feel thirst

  • Blood glucose above 300 mg/dL

  • Feel hard to breathe and breath smells “fruity”

Clinical Significance

  • 0.6 mmol/L : Normal range

  • 1.0 mmol/L : Hyperketonemia

  • 3.0 mmol/L : Ketoacidosis

Why Test Uric Acid?

 

  • Your kidneys are not able to remove uric acid normally.

  • Uric acid cause solid crystals to form within joints, cause gout.

  • High level uric acid also cause kidney stones or kidney failure.

Who Should Test Uric Acid?

  • Eat too many foods rich in purines (organ meats, red meats )

  • Drink too much beer

  • Are overweight

Clinical Significance

  • 4.4 – 7.6 mg/dL : Normal range for men

  • 2.3 – 6.6 mg/dL : Normal range for women

Why Test Total Cholesterol?

  • Cholesterol is necessary, but too much can be harmful.

  • High cholesterol has no symptoms. A blood test is the only way to detect it.

  • Saturated fats, and trans fats can raise blood cholesterol levels.

  • Low cholesterol related to depression and anxiety.

Who Should Test Total Cholesterol?

  • Cigarette smoker

  • Family history of early heart disease

  • High blood pressure

  • Diabetes patients

  • Are overweight

Clinical Significance

  • 0.5 – 1.0 mmol/L : Normal range

  • 2.0 – 4.0 mmol/L : Hyperlactatemia

  • 5.0 mmol/L : Lactic acidosis (with blood pH < 7.35)

Why Test Lactate?

  • Anaerobic energy production’s primary byproduct is lactic acid.

  • Lactate production is associated with muscular fatigue.

  • Lactate involved in some chronic metabolic diseases.

Who Should Test Lactate?

  • Athletes

  • Neonates

  • Diabetes patients

  • Low perfusion patients

Why Test Hb?

Hemoglobin enables red blood cells to bind to oxygen.

High hemoglobin level increases the risk of a blood clot forming, could lead to a stroke or heart attack.

Low hemoglobin level might experience shortness of breath, palpitations and chest pain.

Who Should Test Hb?

  • Type I diabetes patients

  • Blood glucose above 300 mg/dL

  • Chronic kidney disease

  • Blood disorder, like anemia

  • Feel dizziness, headache, fatigue and tiredness