Ketones in urinalysis- Good? Bad? Weigh in please

I had a urinalysis in the hospital, it was postive for Ketones with a value of 15.

I read somewhere else that it is a by product of your body using fat for energy instead of glucose from carbs.

Which seems good to me if my body is using up my chub, I am totally ok with that.

Does anyone know more about this?

 Your body is in ketosis. You want to be in ketosis at least for the short term because, you are correct, your body is using fat for energy. Your brain needs glucose however, the brain can produce whatever glucose it needs from protein. 

This explanation is as good as any I have read. http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/faq/f/whatisketosis.htm

 So I was monitored very closely when I was pregnant cause I had diabetes and I had keytones in my urine for 3 months straight and Ive been using the ketostrips from wallgreens since surgery and still seem to be in ketosis. If you were in ketosis and not on a diet it would be an issue but it is pretty normal with weight loss. My wallgreens brand ketostrips were only 10 bucks :) If just means you are burning stored fat. :)

 Yeah, for diabetics (with type 1 diabetes) it's ketoacidosis that you want to look out for. It can be scary. There are some suggestions that people with Type 1 diabetes not go on very low carb diets. Anyone concerned about ketones should ask their doctors what is considered a safe level. Levels that are very high can be dangerous for anybody, I think, not just diabetics.

Ketosis is the state where the body is burning fat as fuel.  Ketoacidosis is due to diabetes.  Two different things!  You're doing fine I'd say, rock on!
xoxo

Hi Sassy,

I too was freaking out about a few weeks ago when I went to my primary doctor (not my surgeon) and they stated I had ketones in my urine. I didn't know what it was but after doing some research I found it to be great to be in ketone state... That means "You're burning some fat"...lol.

Sheka