Urea is a waste marker that helps check kidney function and hydration.
Urea is a waste product made when your body breaks down protein. The liver produces it, and the kidneys filter it out of the blood into urine.
Because the kidneys clear urea, the level in your blood reflects how well they are working, along with how much protein you eat and how hydrated you are.
A high urea can mean reduced kidney function, but it also rises with dehydration, a high protein diet, bleeding in the gut, or certain medicines. So it is read with creatinine rather than alone.
A low urea is less common and can reflect a low protein diet, liver disease, or overhydration. The urea to creatinine ratio helps tell apart kidney from non kidney causes.
Aniva reads your result against research-backed ranges, not just the lab's wide normal. The reference shown below is specific to this biomarker.
| Group | Serum urea (SI) |
| Adults | ~2.5 to 7.1 mmol/L |
| Note | tends to be a little higher with age |
Ranges are guidance only and vary by lab, age, diet, and hydration. Some labs report blood urea nitrogen (BUN) instead. Read your result against your own lab's reference interval, in line with DGKL practice.
Dehydration and a high protein meal raise urea, while a low protein diet, overhydration, and pregnancy lower it. Bleeding in the gut and some medicines such as steroids raise it. It is best read alongside creatinine.
Best read with creatinine (and the urea to creatinine ratio) and eGFR, which together give a clearer picture of kidney function.
What does a urea result mean in plain terms? Higher levels often reflect dehydration, high protein intake, or reduced kidney filtering. Lower levels can occur with liver conditions or low protein intake.
Do I need to fast for this test? No fasting is needed. Follow your usual eating and drinking unless your clinician advises otherwise.
What can affect my result? Heavy exercise, high-protein meals, dehydration, overhydration, and medicines like steroids or diuretics can change levels. Tell your clinician about all drugs and supplements.
How often should I check urea? It depends on your health and risk. People with kidney concerns may test periodically; your clinician will guide timing.
How long do results take? Results are usually ready in about 7 days.
What should I discuss with my clinician? Share your diet, fluid intake, and medications. Ask whether to review creatinine, eGFR, and urine tests for full context.
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