The urea test is one of the blood tests prescribed by your doctor that aims to check the amount of urea in your blood to determine if your kidneys and liver are functioning properly.
Urea is a substance produced by the liver as a result of the metabolism of dietary proteins. After metabolism, the urea circulating in the blood is filtered through the kidneys and removed into the urine. However, when there are problems with the liver or kidneys, or when you have a high-protein diet, the amount of urea circulating in your blood increases, characterizing uremia, which is toxic to your body. Learn how to identify symptoms of uremia.
- Most of the time.
- The urea test is requested along with other tests.
- Mainly creatinine.
- Because it is possible to better evaluate the functioning of the kidneys for blood filtration.
The values of the urea test may vary depending on the laboratory and the technique used for dosing, however the normally considered reference values are:
To perform the urea test, you do not need to be fasting or otherwise prepared, and the test is done by collecting a small amount of blood, which is sent to the lab for testing.
The urea test result should be evaluated by the physician who prescribed the test along with the other tests that have been requested, considering the normal result within the reference values.
Increased urea concentration in the blood may indicate that the liver metabolizes a large amount of urea or that the kidneys are not functioning properly, with changes in the blood filtration process. Situations that can cause increased blood urea include:
Therefore, it is important to identify the disease and start the appropriate treatment, and the use of medicines to control the pressure and the amount of urine or dialysis, which is usually indicated in the most severe cases when other parameters are also found, may be indicated. Changed.
When increased urea is a consequence of dehydration, for example, it is recommended to increase the intake of many fluids during the day, as this helps to normalize blood urea levels. In the case of an increase in urea due to diet, it is recommended to adjust the diet, preferably with the help of a nutritionist, since it is possible to know the most suitable foods without risk of nutritional deficiencies.
Decreased blood urea is usually not a cause for concern, which may be due to a lack of dietary protein, malnutrition, pregnancy, low absorption of the intestine or inability of the liver to metabolize proteins, as in the case of liver failure
Your doctor requests urea screening to evaluate kidney function and monitor response to treatment and progression of kidney disease. The test may also be prescribed when the person has symptoms of uremia or kidney problems, such as excessive fatigue, urinary problems, increased blood pressure, urine with foam or blood, or swelling of the legs, for example.
Thus, in addition to asking for the dose of urea, the dose of creatinine, sodium, potassium and calcium may also be recommended. In addition, a 24-hour urine test, the sample of which should begin after the blood sample is taken for the test, may be indicated to check the amount of urea released into the urine. Understand how the 24-hour urine test works.