Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

If you have type 1 diabetes, you should be given ketone testing strips and a monitor. Your care team should advise you to test the ketone levels in your blood if your blood glucose is too high (known as hyperglycaemia) or if you are unwell. This is because you are at risk of a serious condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). People with type 1 diabetes are at higher risk of DKA (although anyone with diabetes can get it).

If you have any form of diabetes, your care team should advise you to get urgent medical advice if you have hyperglycaemia or you are feeling unwell, to make sure you don't have DKA. Your ketone levels should be checked as soon as possible. If you are thought to have DKA you should be admitted straight away to a unit where you can get specialist care.