β-Hydroxybutyrate LiquiColor®

An automated, quantitative ketone test

When the body does not have a sufficient amount of carbohydrates available to meet its demand for energy, the body begins to utilise its stored fat for energy.

These fatty acids are metabolised in the liver and this metabolism produces chemical byproducts called ketones. Under normal circumstances, ketones are broken down into carbon dioxide and water by the liver and other organs.

In ketosis, the body produces more ketones than it can process. The buildup of ketones disrupts the chemical balance of the body. If left unchecked, this condition can prove fatal.

These ketone bodies consist of acetone, acetoacetate, and ß-hydroxybutyrate.

The detection of ketosis is important in several clinical conditions. The most important is the detection of potentially fatal ketoacidosis in diabetics. Patients with Type 1 diabetes are prone to developing ketoacidosis – an excessive buildup of ketones in the blood due to accelerated ketone synthesis and the body’s limited capacity to break them down.

Measuring the level of ketones is clinically useful in not only diagnosing Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), but also in monitoring the results of treatment.

The American Diabetes Association Clinical Practice Recommendations state diabetics should be tested for the presence of ketones when any symptoms of ketoacidosis are present, during acute illness or stress or when blood glucose levels consistently exceed 240 mg/dL, or pregnant women with gestational diabetes.

Quantitative β-Hydroxybutyrate Results

• β-Hydroxybutyrate is the main ketone body produced during ketosis (78%)
• Traditional nitroprusside methods, however, detect just 22% of the ketones present
• During ketosis, β-Hydroxybutyrate increases more than the levels of acetone and acetoacetate, clearly indicating the patient’s trend in metabolic status.
• Quantitative, objective β-Hydroxybutyrate results provide a better tool for earlier detection of clinically significant ketosis and ongoing monitoring
• ß-hydroxybutyrate demonstrates excellent stability, making it the most reliable indicator of clinically relevant ketosis and ketoacidosis
• Earlier detection of clinically significant ketosis and improved turn-around times
• Ready-to-use liquid reagents with ß-Hydroxybutyrate Standard included
• Serum or Plasma specimens
• Automated Biochemistry analyser applications available
• Controls and linearity standards available
• Quantifiable results captured in your LIS
• High sensitivity and precision

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