Health Library Explorer

Diabetic Ketoacidosis

What is diabetic ketoacidosis?

Diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA, is a serious health problem that can happen to a person with diabetes. It happens when chemicals called ketones build up in the blood.

Normally, the cells of your body take in and use glucose as a source of energy. Glucose moves through the body in the bloodstream. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells take in the glucose from the blood. If you have diabetes, your cells can’t take in and use this glucose in a normal way. This may be because your body doesn’t make enough insulin. Or it may be because your cells don’t respond to it normally.

As a result, glucose builds up in your bloodstream and doesn’t reach your cells. Without glucose to use, the cells in your body burn fat instead of glucose for energy. When cells burn fat, they make ketones. High levels of ketones can poison the body. High levels of glucose can also build up in your blood and cause other symptoms. Ketoacidosis also changes the amount of other substances in your blood. These include electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, and bicarbonate. This can lead to other problems.

Ketoacidosis happens most often in a person with type 1 diabetes. This is a condition where the body does not make enough insulin. In rare cases, ketoacidosis can happen in a person with type 2 diabetes. It can happen when they are under stress, like when they are sick, or when they have taken certain medicines that change how their bodies handle glucose.

Diabetic ketoacidosis is pretty common. It is more common in younger people. Women have it more often than men do.

What causes diabetic ketoacidosis?

High levels of ketones and glucose in your blood can cause ketoacidosis. This might happen if you:

  • Don’t know you have diabetes, and your body is breaking down too much fat
  • Know you have diabetes but you aren’t treating it, or if you don’t take your medicines as you should
  • Have a sudden health problem, like heart attack, pneumonia, or urinary tract infection
  • Take certain medicines (like prednisone, dexamethasone, or other glucocorticoid medicines, or a certain class of diabetes medicines called SGLT-2 inhibitors)
  • Take illegal drugs, such as cocaine

Diabetic ketoacidosis happens mainly from not having enough insulin. It can also be the result of having cells that don’t respond to insulin normally.

What are the symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis?

Symptoms usually show up quickly over a 24-hour period. They may vary depending on the severity of your ketoacidosis and how long you have had it. Symptoms can include:

  • Feeling very thirsty and drinking a lot
  • Urinating much more than normal
  • Belly pain
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • “Fruity” smelling breath from the ketones
  • Difficulty thinking clearly
  • Fatigue and lethargy that can progress to coma


How is diabetic ketoacidosis diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will ask about your medical history and your symptoms. He or she will also give you a physical exam.

You will have blood tests to look for ketones and check your glucose levels. Your urine may also be tested for these substances. You may also have blood tests to check:

  • The number of particles dissolved in your blood (plasma osmolarity)
  • The concentration of certain electrolytes in your blood, like sodium and potassium, and bicarbonate
  • The number of red and white blood cells in your blood
  • Your kidney function

You also might need an electrocardiogram (EKG) to check your heart rhythm. This is because changed electrolyte levels in the blood can cause problems with your heart.

How is diabetic ketoacidosis treated?

Diabetic ketoacidosis needs to be treated right away in the hospital. Your healthcare provider will need to replace the large amount of fluids that you have lost. This is most often done through an IV.

You will also be given insulin. This will let your cells to start using more glucose. This will help lower the levels of both ketones and sugar in your blood. You will likely also be given electrolytes, as these are often low as well.

If you have an illness that caused your ketoacidosis, your healthcare provider will treat that as well. For example, you may be given antibiotics for an infection.

You will need to have more blood tests during your treatment. This is so your healthcare provider can watch your condition and change your treatment as needed.

What are the complications of diabetic ketoacidosis?

Diabetic ketoacidosis can cause complications such as:

  • Low levels of potassium (hypokalemia)
  • Swelling inside the brain (cerebral edema)
  • Fluid inside your lungs (pulmonary edema)
  • Damage to your kidney or other organs from your fluid loss

Very low levels of potassium can cause severe problems like muscle weakness and heart rhythm problems. This may cause death. Cerebral and pulmonary edema can also lead to death. Your medical team will work to avoid these complications by watching you closely and carefully adjusting your treatment.

Can I prevent diabetic ketoacidosis?

You can greatly lower your chances of getting ketoacidosis by managing your diabetes well. This includes taking all your medicines, including your insulin, as you are told. Measure your blood sugar often to make sure it is not too high or too low. If you are sick, you may need to talk with your healthcare provider about changing your insulin dose for a short time. You might need more insulin than normal when you are sick. Call your healthcare provider if your blood sugar is high, or if you have symptoms. This may help prevent more severe ketoacidosis.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

See your healthcare provider right away if you have symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis, such as:

  • Feeling very thirsty and drinking a lot
  • Urinating much more than normal
  • Belly pain
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • “Fruity” smelling breath from ketones
  • Difficulty thinking clearly
  • Fatigue and lethargy that can progress to coma

Call your healthcare provider right away if your blood sugar readings are higher than expected. When you call, have a list of your recent blood sugar numbers. Also have a list of your insulin history. This includes doses and times you’ve used it. And, have a list of all the medicines you take. Your healthcare provider may tell you how to adjust your medicines over the phone. Or you may need to go to his or her medical office or the emergency room.

Key points about diabetic ketoacidosis

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious condition that can happen to some people with diabetes. It needs treatment right away. Ketones and glucose can rise to very high levels in your blood. This can cause a lot of fluid loss and other problems. It happens most often in people with type 1 diabetes. It can also happen to people with type 2 diabetes with an illness or other health condition.

  • Ketoacidosis causes symptoms such as a need to urinate more often, nausea, and trouble thinking clearly.
  • Your healthcare provider can diagnose you with a medical history, exam, and blood and urine tests of your sugar and ketone levels.
  • Ketoacidosis is treated by replacing fluids and electrolytes and giving insulin.
  • Your medical team will check you carefully and adjust treatment as needed. This will help prevent the possible complications of ketoacidosis. Some complications can be life-threatening.
  • You can help prevent ketoacidosis by taking all your diabetes medications as prescribed.
  • Always wear a bracelet that warns people that you have diabetes, particularly type 1.

Next steps


  • Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
  • Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.
Online Medical Reviewer: Hurd, Robert, MD
Date Last Reviewed: 10/1/2016
StayWell Disclaimer