Breath Acetone as Assessment of Ketoacidotic Status

Increased concentrations of acetone are generated under metabolic stress of diabetes, exercise, dieting, and bulimia. Acetone is found in the blood and can partition into the lungs where it is exhaled on the breath. Because of Henry’s law, the breath concentration is directly correlated with the acetone blood levels. For example, commercial diabetes home testing relies on the blood glucose levels. But, in the hospital and for gestational diabetes, it is the ketone body 3-hydroxybutyrate that is measured in the blood. Acetone, 3-hydroxybutyrate, and acetoacetate are in direct equilibrium and are reaction byproducts. Of the three ketone bodies, acetone is the only one able to partition into the breath. Measure of acetone is a good means to monitor diabetic disregulation.