Effective Monday, November 14, 2011, the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics core clinical laboratory will have to discontinue the laboratory test "KETONES" (LAB44). This laboratory test is a semi-quantitative assay for plasma ketones that uses the Bayer Acetest tablets. This laboratory reagent is currently unavailable nationally for an indefinite period of time.

There are a number of alternative tests that are useful in the workup of diabetic ketoacidosis and other ketotic states:

"B-HYDROXYBUTYRATE" [LAB570] – quantitative assay for plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate

"URINALYSIS" [LAB1160] – includes semi-quantitative assay for urine ketones

"BASIC METABOLIC PANEL" [LAB15] which would generate "ELECTROLYTE BALANCE" (anion gap)

"CO2 (BICARBONATE)" [LAB55]

"ARTERIAL BLOOD GAS (CRITICAL CARE LABORATORY)" [LAB76]

Questions should be directed to Matthew Krasowski, MD, PhD, medical director of the Clinical Chemistry (384–9380, matthew-krasowski@uiowa.edu).