What's this test for?

This test is ideal if you're following a ketogenic diet and want to know if your body has reached ketosis, or if you have diabetes and need to check for dangerous ketone buildup. It measures beta-hydroxybutyrate, the main ketone your body makes when it burns fat for fuel instead of sugar. It's especially helpful if you've had symptoms like nausea, confusion, fruity-smelling breath, or unusually high blood sugar, since these can signal a serious condition called diabetic ketoacidosis.

What happens after I get my results?

Your results will show up in your account with your beta-hydroxybutyrate level and an explanation of what the normal range means. If you're tracking ketosis for diet purposes, you'll see practical next steps like adjusting your carb intake or retesting after a few weeks to confirm you're staying in your target range. If your level comes back dangerously high, especially alongside high blood sugar, the report will flag that you should seek medical care right away. You can also download the full lab report anytime and use the trends feature to watch your ketone levels change over time.

Who should consider this test?

People on ketogenic or low-carb diets who want to confirm they're actually in ketosis are good candidates for this test. It's also important for people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who have symptoms of high blood sugar, since ketone buildup can turn into a medical emergency if it's missed. Anyone who has felt unusually tired, thirsty, nauseous, or has noticed fruity-smelling breath alongside high blood sugar readings should consider checking their ketone levels.

How can I naturally support healthy ketone levels?

If you're intentionally in ketosis for weight loss or metabolic reasons, staying well hydrated and keeping electrolytes like sodium and potassium balanced can help your body adjust more comfortably. Eating enough healthy fats while keeping carbs low is what drives ketone production, so consistency in your diet matters more than perfection day to day. If you have diabetes, keeping your blood sugar well managed through diet, activity, and prescribed treatment is the best way to prevent unsafe ketone spikes. Regular retesting can help you see whether your current approach is keeping levels in a safe, expected range.

When will I get my results?

Results are typically ready within about 7 days of your sample being collected at the lab. You'll get a notification as soon as your report is available in your online account. From there you can view your beta-hydroxybutyrate level, see how it compares to the normal range, and download the full report whenever you need it.

What symptoms indicate I may need this test?

Watch for symptoms like excessive thirst, frequent urination, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, confusion, or breath that smells fruity or like nail polish remover. These can be signs of ketone buildup, especially if you also have high blood sugar or diabetes. If you're on a ketogenic diet, milder signs like the 'keto flu,' bad breath, or changes in energy might prompt you to check whether you're actually in ketosis.

What is beta-hydroxybutyrate and why does it matter?

Beta-hydroxybutyrate is a type of ketone, a molecule your liver produces when it breaks down fat for energy instead of using sugar. It matters because it's the main marker used to confirm you're in ketosis, and at very high levels it can signal a dangerous condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. Tracking it gives you a clear, objective number instead of guessing based on symptoms alone.

What does a high beta-hydroxybutyrate level mean?

A moderately elevated level usually just means your body is in nutritional ketosis, which is the goal if you're following a keto or low-carb diet. A very high level, especially combined with high blood sugar, nausea, or confusion, can point to diabetic ketoacidosis, which is a medical emergency. If you have diabetes and your ketones are very high, seek medical care right away rather than waiting to retest.

What causes high beta-hydroxybutyrate levels?

The most common cause is simply following a low-carb or ketogenic diet, which pushes your body to burn fat and produce ketones on purpose. Fasting, intense exercise, or prolonged illness can also raise ketone levels temporarily. In people with diabetes, not having enough insulin can cause the body to break down fat uncontrollably, leading to dangerously high ketone levels.

How often should I retest?

If you're monitoring ketosis for diet purposes, retesting every few weeks can help you see whether your eating plan is keeping you in your target range. If you have diabetes and are prone to ketone buildup, more frequent checking, especially when blood sugar is high or you feel unwell, is a good idea. Your trends dashboard makes it easy to spot patterns and decide when another test makes sense.

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short: In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want. If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test. Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout. If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want. When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system. Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way. You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy! If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

How do I know which test to get?

In the test options, find the test you want. If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option. Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.

When will my lab results be available?

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know. After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop! If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you. Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at support@privatemdlabs.com. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update. Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you. There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out. Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Do you accept health insurance?

Only HSA & FSA is accepted. Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts. This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

Can I cancel my order?

Yes. We get it – sometimes your needs change. As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order. If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com. You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

How can I find a lab location near me?

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached! You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp). Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Beta-Hydroxybutyrate Test - Ketosis & Ketone Levels

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.

Long story short:

In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!

754-799-7833

[email protected]

Beta-Hydroxybutyrate Ketone Blood Test