b-OH-Butyric Acid

Optimal result: 0 – 2.8 mmol/mol creatinine

Genova Diagnostics

By Healthmatters Editorial Team

Peer-reviewed sources

Low carbohydrate intake and ketogenic diets may increase urinary levels of beta-hydroxybutyrate. The severity of ketosis is not accurately reflected by the degree of ketonuria. Only a small amount of the body burden of ketones is excreted in the urine; most must be oxidized in extrahepatic tissues using and depleting available oxygen.

Clinical Associations: In the absence of dietary influence, elevations are sometimes used as an early indicator of diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, and worsening glycemic control.

β-hydroxybutyrate is a ketone body. During periods of fasting, exercise, and metabolic disease, ketone bodies are generated in the liver and become an energy source instead of glucose.

References:

- Trico D, Prinsen H, Giannini C, et al. Elevated alphaHydroxybutyrate and Branched-Chain Amino Acid Levels Predict Deterioration of Glycemic Control in Adolescents. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2017;102(7):2473-2481.

- Mahendran Y, Vangipurapu J, Cederberg H, et al. Association of ketone body levels with hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes in 9,398 Finnish men. Diabetes. 2013;62(10):3618-3626.

- Cobb J, Eckhart A, Perichon R, et al. A novel test for IGT utilizing metabolite markers of glucose tolerance. J Diab Sci Technol. 2015;9(1):69-76.

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