Diabetes Health Center

How It Feels

Blood test

The blood sample is taken from a vein in your arm. An elastic band is wrapped around your upper arm. It may feel tight. You may feel nothing at all from the needle, or you may feel a quick sting or pinch.

Urine test

There is normally no discomfort involved with collecting a urine sample.

Risks

Blood test

There is very little risk of a problem from having blood drawn from a vein.

• You may develop a small bruise at the puncture site. You can reduce the risk of bruising by keeping pressure on the site for several minutes after the needle is withdrawn.
• In rare cases, the vein may become inflamed after the blood sample is taken. This condition is called phlebitis and is usually treated with a warm compress applied several times daily.
• Continued bleeding can be a problem for people with bleeding disorders. Aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin), and other blood-thinning medicines can also make bleeding more likely. If you have bleeding or clotting problems, or if you take blood-thinning medicine, tell your health professional before your blood is drawn.

Urine test

There are no risks associated with collecting a urine sample.

Results

A ketone test checks for substances made when the body breaks down fat for energy (ketones).

Urine test

If either the test strip or the urine changes color when the tablet is dropped into the sample, ketones are present in your urine sample. The test results are read as negative to 1+ to 4+ or small to large.

High values

You may have ketones in your urine if you:

• Have poorly controlled diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis.
• Are on a very low-carbohydrate or high-fat diet.
• Are starving or have an eating disorder, including disorders that result in poor nutrition such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia, alcoholism, or poisoning from drinking rubbing alcohol (isopropanol).
• Have not eaten (fasted) for 18 hours or longer.
• Are pregnant. But a moderate amount of ketones in a pregnant woman may harm the fetus and may be an indication of gestational diabetes.

The level of ketones, and not just the presence of ketones, may be important to your doctor as well. Many conditions can change ketone levels. Fasting usually causes only mild increases in the level, but ketone levels in diabetic ketoacidosis are much higher. Your doctor will discuss any significant abnormal results with you in relation to your symptoms and past health.

What Affects the Test

Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:

• Taking medicines, such as:
  • Levodopa, such as Sinemet or Larodopa.
  • Phenazopyridine, such as Pyridium or Uristat.
  • Valproate, such as Depakote, Depacon, or Depakene.
  • Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), when taken in large amounts.
• Waiting a long time after collecting the urine to test it.