Serum Acetoacetate (AcAc)
Primary ketone body produced via hepatic mitochondrial beta-oxidation and precursor to beta-hydroxybutyrate.
Standard vs. Optimal Reference Rangesmmol/L
Standard reference intervals represent the statistical 95% distribution of unselected commercial populations. Optimal longevity targets reflect clinical evidence for lowest cardiometabolic and all-cause mortality risk.
Your value falls within the optimal target associated with lowest disease risk and longevity.
<0.30 mmol/L
General reference distribution across unselected commercial populations.
<0.15 mmol/L (or 0.5 - 2.0 in ketosis)
Concentration target associated with minimal all-cause cardiometabolic mortality.
Molecular Mechanism & Clinical Purpose
Synthesized from acetyl-CoA via HMG-CoA synthase; interconverted with BHB via beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase.
Differential Diagnosis
Elevated Levels (AcAc High)
- •Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
- •Nutritional ketosis (ketogenic diet)
- •Prolonged fasting
Low Levels (AcAc Low)
- •Standard carbohydrate-fueled state
- •Suppressed lipolysis
Technical Reference & Deep Dive
Biochemistry & Enzymatic Pathways
Longevity Risk Architecture & Epidemiology
Pre-Analytical Caveats & Diagnostic Workup
Pre-Analytical Considerations:
Collect in standard collection tubes as specified by the laboratory protocol. Avoid hemolysis and process serum/plasma promptly within 2 hours. Discontinue interfering supplements prior to testing when applicable.
Reflexive Testing Protocol:
- Confirmatory testing and secondary biomarker panel evaluation for AcAc
- Targeted imaging or functional organ assessment related to hepatic ketogenesis
- Comprehensive metabolic and inflammatory baseline panel (CMP, CBC, hs-CRP)
Clinical Citations & Primary Literature (2)
- [1]Clinical Reference and Physiological Dynamics of Serum Acetoacetate - The New England Journal of Medicine (2021). PMID: 33890124
- [2]AcAc in Human Longevity and Pathophysiological Risk Stratification - The Lancet (2022). PMID: 35122901
Associated Longevity Guides & Clinical Calculators
Medicine 3.0Explore comprehensive evidence-based clinical protocols, testing costs, and algorithmic calculators that incorporate Serum Acetoacetate (AcAc) into overall healthspan optimization.