The affect of precision ketogenic therapy on blood glucose and blood ketone levels in patients with epilepsy

Sutrah Joseph

Authors:  Sutrah Joseph, Peggy Borum

Faculty Mentor:  Peggy Borum

College:  College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

Abstract

Precision Ketogenic Therapy (PKT) at the University of Florida is a low carb, high fat, adequate protein diet used to treat epilepsy. On PKT, it is expected that a patient’s blood glucose levels and blood ketone levels will adapt based on the new therapy. We looked at the patterns of blood glucose and blood ketones before and after 50 days on PKT, and examined if there is a relationship between blood glucose and blood ketone levels on PKT. There was a total of 41 participants. Blood samples were collected from all participants. For glucose, patients were separated into three groups: increasing, decreasing, and stable. For ketones, patients were separated into two groups: increasing, and no increase. Glucose and ketone patterns were then determined based on starting values. 92% of patients that started PKT with an expected ketone level of 10 mg/dL or lower increased in ketone values. If a patient is starting PKT with a normal blood glucose and ketone level, their glucose is likely to decrease, and their ketone is likely to increase. 80% of patients that started PKT with an expected blood glucose level of 80 mg/dL or above decreased in blood glucose values.

Poster Pitch

Click the video below to view the student's poster pitch.

Poster

Click the image to enlarge.
3 Responses
    1. Sutrah Joseph

      Yes, for this study we looked at beta-hydroxybutyrate levels obtained from blood samples.