β-hydroxybutyrate Assay Kit (β-Hb)

Ketosis is a common feature in acutely ill patients. In subjects suffering from starvation, acute alcohol abuse, or diabetes mellitus ketosis can result in severe life threatening metabolic acidosis. The presence and degree of ketosis can be determined by measuring blood levels of D-3-Hydroxybutyrate. Ordinarily, D-3Hydroxybutyrate is the ketoacid present in the greatest amount in serum. It accounts for approximately 75% of the ketone bodies which also contain acetoacetate and acetone. During periods of ketosis, D-3-Hydroxybutyrate increases even more that the other two ketoacids, acetoacetate and acetone, and has been shown to be a better index of ketoacidosis including the detection of subclinical ketosis. In diabetics, the measurement of D3-Hydroxybutyrate as well as the blood glucose is needed for the assessment of the severity of diabetic coma and is essential for the exclusion of hyperosmolar non-ketotic diabetic coma. Moreover, the insulin requirements are often based on the extent of the existing hyperketonemia shown by the blood levels of D3-Hydroxybutyrate is therefore extremely important.