Acetone is one of the three ketone bodies in the body (%2). The other two are acetoacetate (%20) and beta hydroxybutyrate(%78). During carbohydrate deprivation (starvation,digestive problems, vomitting, exercise), decreased carbohydrate utilization (Diabetes Mellitus), glycogen storage diseases and alkalosis, acetoacetate production increases. If this increase exceeds the metabolic capacity of peripheral tissues, it accumulates and a small portion of accumulated acetoacetate may convert into acetone and the remaining greater portion turns into betahydroxybutyrate. When someone is in ketosis, this means that, the body is oxidizing (burning) fat for energy , with the resultant ketone production in the liver. When ketons are produced, they can cross the blood-brain barrier to provide energy for the brain.
Interpretation: Low values have no interpretable clinical value but high values indicate ketoacidosis which causes blood pH , carbon dioxide, anion gap changes which should be regulated immediately. This is important in acid-base balance of the body of which , the pH value should be kept between narrow limits as 7.35-7.45 , the optimal value being 7.4. Betahydroxybutirate is an acid which alters this sensitive balance.
Sample: Urine .Nonfasting
Working day: Everyday
Result Time: 1 hour
