Subclinical ketosis has emerged as one of the most important metabolic diseases in dairy cows since it is often undiagnosed. Twenty-four multiparous Holstein cows were monitored from −30 to 30 d relative to parturition with data loggers (Onset; Pocasset, MA) to record 3D acceleration every 60-s to elucidate cow behavior such as standing and lying time. Blood samples collected at −30, −15, and 3 d relative to parturition were used to analyze biomarkers of metabolism, inflammation, and liver function. Blood BHB was measured with the Precision Xtra at 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15 d postpartum. The behavior, blood biomarkers, and BHB data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Correlations between behavioral and BHB data were analyzed with the CORR procedure of SAS. The overall BHB for all cows increased over time and reached 1.4 mmol/L by 3 d postpartum. Cows were classified by a retrospective analysis of BHB as subclinically-ketotic (KET; n = 13; ketones >1.4 mmol/L) or non-ketotic (NONKET; n = 11; ketones <1.4 mmol/L). Prepartal standing time (ST) was lower (P = 0.02) while lying time (LT) was greater (P = 0.02) in KET cows in comparison to NONKET. A correlation analysis was performed between daily ST and LT from −30 to 3 d relative to parturition and BHB at 3 d postpartum (subclinical ketosis). The maximal correlation (P < 0.01; r = −0.84) was observed between ST at −3 d and BHB at 3 d relative to parturition. KET cows had lower (P < 0.01; 3 kg/d) DMI and tended to have lower (P = 0.15; 5.7 kg/d) milk yield in comparison to NONKET cows. NEFA and creatinine were greater (P < 0.04) in KET cows. Inflammation as reflected by ceruloplasmin (P = 0.01) and IL-6 (P = 0.10) were greater in NONKET cows, in contrast, albumin (liver function) was lower (P < 0.01) in NONKET. The latter effects occurred at −30 and −15 d, which could be associated with a prepartal priming effect that could lead to decreased susceptibility to ketosis. These preliminary data suggest that prepartal ST behavior could be used to predict subclinical ketosis and if treated on time it could mitigate the negative effects on DMI and consequently milk yield.