Urea
Bladder and kidney healthA waste product from protein metabolism filtered by the kidneys.
Elevated levels can indicate reduced kidney function, but are also influenced by protein intake, dehydration, and certain medications.
Why this matters
Urea levels rise when kidney function is reduced, protein intake is high, or the body is dehydrated. Low levels may occur with severe liver disease or malnutrition. Monitoring urea helps assess kidney and liver function as well as protein balance in the body.
How this connects to other biomarkers
- Urea reflects kidney function but is also influenced by protein intake and breakdown — elevations can come from kidney problems, dehydration, or high protein turnover (GI bleed, corticosteroids, trauma).
- Elevated Urea with elevated Creatinine and a BUN/Creatinine Ratio > 20 suggests an upstream cause (volume depletion, GI bleed); a ratio < 10 suggests the kidney itself is damaged or low protein intake.
- Low Urea may reflect malnutrition, severe liver disease (the liver can't make urea), or overhydration.
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