Why ketone bodies rise in uncontrolled diabetes
In uncontrolled type 1 diabetes, ketone bodies build up mainly because:
Answer D: explanation for every choice
A
Type 1 diabetes involves insulin deficiency.
B
The liver makes ketone bodies but cannot use them.
C
Ketone bodies are made in liver mitochondria from acetyl-CoA, not from muscle glycogen.
D
Correct. A flood of acetyl-CoA from β-oxidation can't enter the citric acid cycle fast enough because oxaloacetate is diverted to gluconeogenesis, so it is converted to ketone bodies.
TakeawayLow insulin + high glucagon → lots of acetyl-CoA, little oxaloacetate → ketone bodies.
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Reviewed 2026-11-05 by a medical student. Spot an error? Report it with question ID bb116.