Complete Blood Count (CBC): What This Common Blood Test Measures and Why Your Doctor May Order It for You
A blood test that measures acetoacetate, a ketone body, to help diagnose and monitor conditions like diabetic ketoacidosis.
{"Acetoacetate is a ketone body measured in blood to detect ketoacidosis","Primary use is diagnosing and monitoring diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)","Elevated levels indicate your body is breaking down fat for energy instead of glucose","Test is performed on a blood sample (serum or plasma)","Results help doctors guide treatment for diabetes complications"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 109089-3
- Short code
- Acetoacet
- Synonyms
- Acetoacet Msmt SerPl
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Serum separator tube (SST) or plain red top tube
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 0.2
- Ref high
- 0.5
- Critical range
- — – 6 N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 18 years
- Method
- Enzymatic spectrophotometric method using beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase
- CPT
- 82953
- SNOMED
- 413549007
- Specimen volume
- 1.0 mL minimum, 2.0 mL preferred
- Stability
- Room temperature: 8 hours; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 72 hours; Frozen (-20°C): 30 days. Protect from light as acetoacetate may degrade.
- Hemolysis max
- 50
- Lipemia max
- 300
- Icterus max
- 20
- TAT
- 2–24 hours
- Order
- routine
What is a complete blood count (CBC) test and what does it measure in my blood?
The acetoacetate test measures the amount of acetoacetic acid (also called acetoacetate) in your blood. Acetoacetate is one of three ketone bodies (the others are beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetone) that your body produces when it breaks down fat for energy instead of using glucose.
Why might my doctor order a complete blood count (CBC) test for me?
Your doctor may order this test if you have symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious complication of diabetes. Symptoms include excessive thirst, frequent urination, nausea, abdominal pain, confusion, and rapid breathing. The test helps confirm whether high ketone levels are causing these symptoms and monitors how well treatment is working.
How is a complete blood count (CBC) test performed during my visit?
A healthcare professional will draw a blood sample from a vein in your arm. The blood is collected into a tube containing chemicals (anticoagulant) to prevent clotting. This sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. You do not need to fast before this test unless your doctor specifically instructs you to.
What do my complete blood count (CBC) test results mean for my overall health?
Normal acetoacetate levels are typically very low or undetectable in healthy individuals. Elevated levels suggest that your body is producing excess ketones, which can lead to ketoacidosis. Higher levels indicate more severe conditions requiring immediate medical treatment.
Reference range
< 0.2 mmol/L (normal); 0.2-0.5 mmol/L (borderline elevated); > 0.5 mmol/L (elevated, consistent with ketosis)N/A
No specific fasting required. Avoid prolonged fasting (>24 hours) before collection as this may elevate ketone levels. Inform physician of current diet status, diabetes management, and alcohol consumption. Sample is best collected during acute presentation of suspected ketoacidosis.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA): This is the primary clinical use. Elevated acetoacetate levels confirm the diagnosis of DKA, a life-threatening condition that occurs when insulin deficiency causes the body to break down fat rapidly, producing excess ketones that make the blood acidic.
Monitoring Treatment Response: Serial measurements of acetoacetate help doctors evaluate how well treatment is working. As treatment progresses (typically with insulin and fluids), ketone levels should decrease, indicating resolution of ketoacidosis.
Other Conditions: Elevated ketone levels may also occur in alcoholic ketoacidosis, starvation ketosis, and certain metabolic disorders. However, the acetoacetate test is most commonly used in the context of diabetes management.
Prognostic Value: Some studies suggest that higher initial ketone levels may indicate more severe DKA, helping doctors determine the intensity of treatment needed.
Frequently asked questions
Is fasting required before the acetoacetate test?
How long does it take to get results?
Are there any risks with this blood test?
What happens if my acetoacetate levels are high?
Can I test ketones at home?
How is this test different from other ketone tests?
Sources
- 1
- 2
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 15, 2026. · Read our editorial policy