Beta-Hydroxybutyrate

check icon Optimal Result: 0 - 0.28 mmol/L.

Beta-Hydroxybutyrate (BHB) is a ketone body extensively measured in clinical diagnostics to assess and monitor ketosis and ketogenic states. BHB is produced in the liver from fatty acids during periods of low carbohydrate intake, fasting, prolonged exercise, or in pathological states such as diabetes mellitus. As a water-soluble molecule, BHB circulates throughout the body and can be utilized by various tissues, including the brain, as an alternative energy source when glucose availability is limited.

The measurement of BHB is critical in identifying and managing conditions associated with altered metabolic states, such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious complication of diabetes characterized by the combination of hyperglycemia, ketosis, and acidosis. Elevated levels of BHB in the bloodstream are indicative of insulin deficiency and the body's shift towards fat metabolism, leading to an accumulation of ketones and a decrease in blood pH.

In clinical practice, the quantification of BHB serves not only as a diagnostic marker for DKA but also as an important tool in the management of individuals following ketogenic diets, those with suspected alcohol intoxication, and patients at risk of starvation ketosis. It provides a more accurate reflection of the ketotic state compared to other ketone bodies (acetone and acetoacetate) due to its stability in the bloodstream. Treatment for elevated BHB levels focuses on addressing the underlying cause: in the case of DKA, this involves fluid replacement, electrolyte supplementation, and insulin therapy to reverse the ketotic state and restore normal metabolic function. For individuals on a ketogenic diet or experiencing fasting-induced ketosis, monitoring BHB levels can help ensure that ketosis remains within a safe and therapeutic range.

What does it mean if your Beta-Hydroxybutyrate result is too high?

Elevated levels of Beta-Hydroxybutyrate (BHB) in the blood are indicative of the body's increased reliance on fat for energy instead of glucose, a state known as ketosis. This condition can occur under various circumstances, such as fasting, adherence to a ketogenic diet, prolonged exercise, or more critically, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in individuals with diabetes.

In the context of DKA, high BHB levels signal a dangerous shift in metabolism due to insulin deficiency, leading to excessive ketone production, blood acidification, and potentially life-threatening complications if not addressed promptly.

For individuals following a ketogenic diet or experiencing fasting-induced ketosis, elevated BHB levels are generally expected and can be a sign of successful diet adherence, contributing to weight loss and potential therapeutic effects for neurological conditions. However, monitoring is essential to ensure levels remain within a safe range to avoid negative health impacts.

Treatment and management strategies differ based on the underlying cause of elevated BHB levels. In cases of diabetic ketoacidosis, urgent medical treatment is required, typically involving intravenous fluids to hydrate the body, electrolyte supplements to balance blood chemistry, and insulin therapy to reduce blood glucose levels and halt excessive ketone production. For those on ketogenic diets, ensuring nutritional balance and possibly adjusting dietary intake can help manage BHB levels. Regular monitoring under medical supervision is recommended for individuals with diabetes or those at risk of high ketone levels to prevent complications and ensure overall health and safety.

All Your Lab Results.
One Simple Dashboard.

Laboratories

Bring All Your Lab Results Together — In One Place

We accept reports from any lab, so you can easily collect and organize all your health information in one secure spot.

lab corp logo
genova diagnostics logo
quest diagnostics logo
dutch test logo
doctors data logo
vibrant america logo
diagnostic solutions logo
zrt laboratory logo
the great plains laboratory logo
cyrex laboratories logo
spectracell logo

Pricing Table

decoration

Personal plans

$15/ month

Complete Plan

Access your lab reports, explanations, and tracking tools.

  • Import lab results from any provider
  • Track all results with visual tools
  • Customize your reference ranges
  • Export your full lab history anytime
  • Share results securely with anyone
  • Begin with first report entered
  • Cancel or upgrade anytime

$250/ once

Unlimited Account

Pay once, access everything—no monthly fees, no limits.

  • Import lab results from any provider
  • Track all results with visual tools
  • Customize your reference ranges
  • Export your full lab history anytime
  • Share results securely with anyone
  • Receive 10 reports entered for you
  • Skip the $15/month subscription — no recurring payments ever

$45/ month

Pro Monthly

Designed for professionals managing their clients' lab reports

  • Import lab results from any provider
  • Track lab results for multiple clients
  • Customize reference ranges per client
  • Export lab histories and reports
  • Begin with first report entered by us
  • Cancel or upgrade anytime

About membership

What's included in a Healthmatters membership

microscope icon Import Lab Results from Any Source

person icon See Your Health Timeline

book icon Understand What Your Results Mean

textbook icon

textbook icon Visualize Your Results

folder icon

folder icon

card icon Securely Share With Anyone You Trust

Let Your Lab Results Tell the Full Story

What Healthmatters Members Are Saying

5 stars rating

I have been using Healthmatters.io since 2021. I travel all over the world and use different doctors and health facilities. This site has allowed me to consolidate all my various test results over 14 years in one place. And every doctor that I show this to has been impressed. Because with  any health professional I talk to, I can pull up historical results in seconds. It is invaluable. Even going back to the same doctor, they usually do not have the historical results from their facility in a graph format. That has been very helpful.

Anthony

Unlimited Plan Member since 2021

5 stars rating

What fantastic service and great, easy-to-follow layouts! I love your website; it makes it so helpful to see patterns in my health data. It's truly a pleasure to use. I only wish the NHS was as organized and quick as Healthmatters.io. You've set a new standard for health tracking!

Karin

Advanced Plan Member since 2020

5 stars rating

As a PRO member and medical practitioner, Healthmatters.io has been an invaluable tool for tracking my clients' data. The layout is intuitive, making it easy to monitor trends and spot patterns over time. The ability to customize reports and charts helps me present information clearly to my clients, improving communication and outcomes. It's streamlined my workflow, saving me time and providing insights at a glance. Highly recommended for any practitioner looking for a comprehensive and user-friendly solution to track patient labs!

Paul

Healthmatters Pro Member since 2024

Use promo code to save 10% off any plan.

Frequently asked questions

Healthmatters is a personal health dashboard that helps you organize and understand your lab results. It collects and displays your medical test data from any lab in one secure, easy-to-use platform.

  • Individuals who want to track and understand their health over time.
  • Health professionals, such as doctors, nutritionists, and wellness coaches, need to manage and interpret lab data for their clients.

With a Healthmatters account, you can:

  • Upload lab reports from any lab
  • View your data in interactive graphs, tables, and timelines
  • Track trends and monitor changes over time
  • Customize your reference ranges
  • Export and share your full lab history
  • Access your results anytime, from any device

Professionals can also analyze client data more efficiently and save time managing lab reports.

Healthmatters.io personal account provides in-depth research on 4000+ biomarkers, including information and suggestions for test panels such as, but not limited to:

  • The GI Effects® Comprehensive Stool Profile,
  • GI-MAP,
  • The NutrEval FMV®,
  • The ION Profile,
  • Amino Acids Profile,
  • Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones (DUTCH),
  • Organic Acids Test,
  • Organix Comprehensive Profile,
  • Toxic Metals,
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC),
  • Metabolic panel,
  • Thyroid panel,
  • Lipid Panel,
  • Urinalysis,
  • And many, many more.

You can combine all test reports inside your Healthmatters account and keep them in one place. It gives you an excellent overview of all your health data. Once you retest, you can add new results and compare them.

If you are still determining whether Healthmatters support your lab results, the rule is that if you can test it, you can upload it to Healthmatters.

shield icon

We implement proven measures to keep your data safe.

At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.

gdpr compliance image hipaa compliance image