Common Misdiagnoses of Ketosis

Ketosis is a condition characterized by an abnormally high concentration of ketone bodies in the blood. Ketones are a by-product of the breakdown of fats in the body. Usually associated with diabetes mellitus and excessive dieting or starvation, ketosis may also be caused by certain substances such as acetylcysteine, aspirin, ethanol, nicotinic acid and valproic acid.

Diagnosing Ketosis

During a diagnosis, ketosis is looked at in conjunction with other symptoms to pinpoint its cause. For example, the causes of ketosis and vomiting might be from a teratogenic agent such as aspirin or ethanol. Add in the symptom of fatigue and all of the symptoms might point to something more serious such as abdominal cancer.

Common Misdiagnoses of Ketosis

Possible treatments for ketosis include the following:

• antibiotics
• insulin
• intravenous fluids
• isotonic saline
• hospital admission

Ketosis may be related to other conditions. One particular condition related to ketosis is ketoacidosis. Ketoacidosis is a complication of type 1 diabetes, which if not treated properly, may lead to a coma or even death. As ketosis can also point to type 1 diabetes complications, a misdiagnosis in this case may be fatal. A doctor would be advised to get a full family history to determine whether diabetes is a factor. Another possibly fatal condition that ketosis may point to is abdominal cancer. Again, a doctor should look at family history and order blood tests to determine what condition is causing the ketosis.

Patients who diet excessively or otherwise starve themselves may also show signs of ketosis. Young women with anorexia nervosa may also show unusually high levels of ketone bodies in their blood. In the case of starvation, one key symptom of ketosis is bad breath. This is due to a build up of acetone in the body. The body will attempt to rid the excess of acetone through the lungs. The result is an abnormal "fruity" smell. Other symptoms of starvation will be abdominal pain, nausea, headaches and excessive thirst.

Because ketosis can be the symptom of a potential complicated condition, a physician must look for a combination of symptoms along with the ketosis to try to determine the underlying cause. The underlying cause then must be treated accordingly. For example, in the case of starvation, foods high in protein will help to alleviate many of the symptoms including the ketosis. Water will also help to flush the ketones from the system.

Talk to an Attorney

If your ketosis was misdiagnosed or it was undiagnosed along with other symptoms, and an underlying condition went untreated as a result, you may sue for medical negligence if you suffered harm. Talk with an attorney to discuss compensation for medical malpractice.