Box 2.

Interpreting capillary ketone levels

  • <0.6 mmol/L - normal blood ketone value

  • 0.6 to 1.5 mmol/L - more ketones being produced than normal; re-test in a few hours

  • 1.6 to 3.0 mmol/L - a high level of ketones; risk of ketoacidosis

  • >3.0 mmol/L – consistent with diabetic ketoacidosis