Testing Urine for Ketones

You should purchase some ketostix or equivalent from the pharmacy. You should test your urine for ketones if you have 2 or more consecutive blood sugars over 15. If the high sugar is simply due to dietary indiscretion it is very unlikely you will have ketones but if you are feeling unwell then it is likely your body is producing ketones. Should ketones be present in anything other than trace amounts you should test your blood sugar every 2 hours and use a sliding scale of insulin adding an extra 2 units to each sliding scale increment (if you would normally take an extra 4 for a blood sugar of 14.1-16.0 take 6 units instead). If the blood sugar continues to rise and you continue to feel unwell or are vomiting you should go immediately to the nearest Emergency ward. You should also drink copious amounts of sugar-free liquids if you have ketones. You will not feel like eating in any case.

Ketones may also be produced by the body during starvation. This is in fact normal and providing your blood sugar is not over 10 these ketones can be safely ignored if you are starving (or fasting).

Diabetes and the Internet

There are innumerable websites for diabetes information. Some links to other diabetes websites are:

• www.toptenlinks.com
• www.diabetes.ca
• www.diabetes.org

Diabetes and Research

There is a large amount of research being carried out at the Vancouver Hospital and at other centres in Vancouver as well as many studies being done in other centres across Canada, North America and the Western World. There may be a number studies for which you are eligible. Please feel in no way obliged to participate in these studies as they are separate from the clinical relationship you have with me or your diabetes physician.

To facilitate research and education in the diabetes area (and other areas of endocrinology including thyroid, pituitary, women's health, menopause and osteoporosis, cholesterol and lipid abnormalities) a charity of which Dr. Elliott is the president, the BC Endocrine Research Foundation was established in 1997. The Foundation is always looking for assistance be it either in time as a potential volunteer or financial support. You may discuss this with me at anytime.

Dr. Tom Elliott is an active researcher and educator and the President of the BC Endocrine Research Foundation. He is also a busy physician treating individuals with endocrine disorders.