Acetoacetate

EPIC

Acetoacetate (BACAC)

Section

Chemical Pathology - Routine Laboratory

Clinical indications

Acetoacetate, measured in conjunction with BOHB, is a better index of ketone production during a fast rather than either measured individually. It is also useful in assessing the cause of hypoglycaemia in children when measured together with non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), glucose and insulin during a fast. Measurement of the BOHB butyrate to acetoacetate ratio reflects the intramitochondrial NADH/NAD ratio, which can be useful in diagnosing pyruvate carboxylase deficiency type B

Specimen requirement

Perchloric acid supernatant

Dispatch and handling instructions

Freeze immediately. Send frozen

Turnaround time

1 to 2 weeks

Synonym

Not applicable

Is it IS0 15189 accredited?

Yes