Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Ketotic hypoglycemia refers to any circumstance in which low blood glucose is accompanied by ketosis, the presence of ketone bodies (such as beta-hydroxybutyrate) in the blood or urine. This state can be either physiologic or pathologic; physiologic ketotic hypoglycemia is a common cause of hypoglycemia in children, often in response to ...
β-Hydroxybutyric acid, also known as 3-hydroxybutyric acid or BHB, is an organic compound and a beta hydroxy acid with the chemical formula CH 3 CH(OH)CH 2 CO 2 H; its conjugate base is β-hydroxybutyrate, also known as 3-hydroxybutyrate. β-Hydroxybutyric acid is a chiral compound with two enantiomers: D-β-hydroxybutyric acid and L-β-hydroxybutyric acid.
Although beta-hydroxybutyrate is the predominant circulating ketone, urine test strips only measure acetoacetate. Urinary ketones often correlate poorly with serum levels because of variability in excretion of ketones by the kidney, influence of hydration status, and renal function. [1] [8]
Both acetoacetate and beta-hydroxybutyrate are acidic, and, if levels of these ketone bodies are too high, the pH of the blood drops, resulting in ketoacidosis. Ketoacidosis is known to occur in untreated type I diabetes (see diabetic ketoacidosis ) and in alcoholics after prolonged binge-drinking without intake of sufficient carbohydrates (see ...
Ketone bodies are water-soluble molecules or compounds that contain the ketone groups produced from fatty acids by the liver (ketogenesis). [1] [2] Ketone bodies are readily transported into tissues outside the liver, where they are converted into acetyl-CoA (acetyl-Coenzyme A) – which then enters the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle) and is oxidized for energy.
Detectable amounts of insulin are abnormal and indicate that hyperinsulinism is likely to be the cause. Other aspects of the person's metabolic state, especially low levels of free fatty acids, beta-hydroxybutyrate and ketones, and either high or low levels of C-peptide and proinsulin can provide confirmation.
Some guidelines recommend a bolus (initial large dose) of insulin of 0.1 units of insulin per kilogram of body weight. This can be administered immediately after the potassium level is known to be higher than 3.3 mmol/L; if the level is any lower, administering insulin could lead to a dangerously low potassium level (see below). [3]
The ketone which is present is mostly beta-hydroxybutyrate rather than acetoacetate resulting in only a weakly positive nitroprusside test. [2] People usually do not present with high blood sugar or sugar in the urine. [2] This can cause false negative results when testing urine ketones as they only measure acetoacetate.