Complete Blood Count (CBC): A Patient Guide to This Common Blood Test
This test measures the level of acetoacetate, a type of ketone body, in your blood after a meal to help monitor metabolic conditions.
{"Acetoacetate is a ketone body produced when the body breaks down fat for energy","The test is commonly used to monitor diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and ketogenic diets","Blood is drawn from a vein and sent to a laboratory for analysis","Abnormally high levels may indicate diabetes complications or metabolic disorders","Results are typically available within the same day"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 72415-3
- Short code
- ACETO-PM
- Synonyms
- Acetoacet p meal Bld-sCnc
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- whole-blood
- Container
- Gray-top sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate tube (NaF/KOx) or green-top lithium heparin tube
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 0.02
- Ref high
- 0.1
- Critical range
- — – 6 N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 0–120 years
- Method
- Enzymatic or colorimetric assay
- CPT
- 82010
- SNOMED
- 31420000
- Specimen volume
- 1-2 mL whole blood
- Stability
- Room temperature: 24 hours; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 72 hours; Frozen (-20°C): 2 weeks (avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles)
- Hemolysis max
- 50
- Lipemia max
- 300
- Icterus max
- 20
- TAT
- 2–24 hours
- Order
- routine
The complete blood count (CBC) is a routine blood test that measures the different cells circulating in your blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. It is one of the most frequently ordered laboratory tests and provides a broad picture of your overall health.
The blood acetoacetate test measures the concentration of acetoacetate in your blood after eating a meal. Acetoacetate is one of three ketone bodies (including beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetone) that your body produces when it breaks down fat for energy instead of using glucose. This test is particularly useful for evaluating how your body metabolizes fats and managing certain medical conditions.
This test is performed to check your general health during a routine checkup, to help diagnose conditions such as anemia, infections, and blood disorders, and to monitor an existing health problem or how a treatment, such as certain medications, is affecting your blood cells.
This test is primarily ordered to monitor and diagnose diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious complication of diabetes where high blood sugar and ketone buildup can lead to coma or death. It is also used to assess the effectiveness of ketogenic diets, evaluate metabolic disorders, and monitor patients at risk for ketone accumulation. Your doctor may recommend this test if you have diabetes, are following a strict low-carbohydrate diet, or show symptoms of ketone buildup such as nausea, vomiting, or confusion.
A healthcare professional will draw a small sample of blood, usually from a vein in your arm, using a thin needle. The procedure takes only a few minutes and may cause brief discomfort. After the sample is collected, it is sent to a laboratory, and you can usually return to your normal activities right away.
A healthcare professional will draw a small sample of blood from a vein in your arm using a needle. The blood is collected into a special tube and sent to a laboratory for analysis. Before the test, you may be asked to eat a specific meal so that your healthcare provider can see how your body responds to food. The procedure is quick and typically takes only a few minutes. You may experience minor bruising or soreness at the puncture site, but serious complications are rare.
Your results show whether the levels and characteristics of your blood cells fall within the normal range. Values that are too high or too low may point to conditions such as anemia, infection, inflammation, or clotting problems, but they do not provide a diagnosis on their own. Your doctor will interpret the numbers together with your symptoms, medical history, and other tests to determine what they mean for you.
Normal acetoacetate levels vary based on factors such as diet, fasting status, and individual metabolism. In people without diabetes, ketone levels are usually very low after eating. Elevated levels may indicate diabetic ketoacidosis, prolonged fasting, a very low-carbohydrate diet, alcoholism, or certain metabolic disorders. Your healthcare provider will interpret your results in the context of your overall health, symptoms, and other test findings. Very high levels require immediate medical attention as they can be life-threatening.
Reference range
Reference range: 0.02-0.10 mmol/L (normal post-meal); 0.10-0.50 mmol/L (ketosis range); >0.50 mmol/L (marked ketosis)N/A
Collect sample 1-2 hours after a standard meal. Avoid prolonged fasting before sample collection. Inform laboratory of any current medications, especially insulin, SGLT2 inhibitors, or ketogenic diet supplements.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
◆Associated findings1
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fast before this test?
Is the test painful?
How long does it take to get results?
What happens if my acetoacetate levels are high?
Can I take my medications before the test?
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 10, 2026. · Read our editorial policy