Carnitine acyltransferase (CAT) transports free fatty acids into the mitochondria and therefore regulates their entry into the oxidative pathway. The decreased insulin-to-glucagon ratio that occurs in starvation indirectly reduces the inhibition on CAT activity, thereby allowing more free fatty acids to undergo oxidation and ketone body formation. In patients suspected of having alcoholic ketoacidosis, serum electrolytes (including magnesium), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine, glucose, ketones, amylase, lipase, and plasma osmolality should be measured. Patients who appear significantly ill and those with alcohol acidosis positive ketones should have arterial blood gas and serum lactate measurements.

• Patients with mild hyperglycemia may have underlying diabetes mellitus, which may be recognized by elevated levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C).
• Fat cells begin breaking down, producing compounds called ketones.
• If you develop any of these symptoms, seek emergency medical attention.
• If you have any additional complications during treatment, this will also affect the length of your hospital stay.

Alcoholic Ketoacidosis

Dextrose is required to break the cycle of ketogenesis and increase insulin secretion. The dextrose will also increase glycogen stores and diminish counterregulatory hormone levels. It is essential to administer thiamine before any glucose administration to avoid Wernicke’s encephalopathy preci