Urea | Urea

Urea is one of the most important indicators of kidney function. Urea is the final product of protein metabolism. It is synthesized by the liver, it easily passes through all membranes and quickly enters all body fluids. The concentration of urea in the body depends on how quickly it is produced by the liver and how quickly it is excreted by the kidneys. This parameter is used to assess kidney function together with creatinine. Unlike creatinine, it reflects the overall kidney function. Both indicators complement each other. During kidney dialysis, the decrease ratio of urea is an important prognostic indicator.

Urea and creatinine do not necessarily increase or decrease together in the same way. When kidney function is impaired, the concentration of urea increases early. When the urea concentration increases to more than 30mmol/l, it almost always indicates kidney damage. Decrease of urea occurs during liver function disorders, when insufficient urea is produced, or during pregnancy. The concentration of urea in the blood increases with the consumption of protein-rich food products, and its concentration decreases during prolonged fasting. Cannabis may increase urea concentration.

Recommendations:

• It is recommended to perform the test prophylactically once a year, and for disease diagnosis and treatment control, it is performed periodically according to the doctor's instructions.
• The test results are influenced by medications, alcohol, drugs, physical activity, overly protein-rich and carbohydrate-rich food, kidney diseases, bladder stones, tumors, shock, burns, myocardial infarction, dehydration, liver diseases, pregnancy.
• To take the test, it is necessary to arrive fasting for 12 hours, and 1 day before the test, avoid eating meat, consuming alcohol, and drugs.