Pyelonephritis
Diabetes
Hepatitis
Rheumatism
50654 October 27
IMPORTANT!
The information in this section cannot be used for self-diagnosis and self-treatment.
In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, diagnostic tests should be prescribed only by the attending physician. To make a diagnosis and properly prescribe treatment, you should contact your doctor. We remind you that independent interpretation of the results is unacceptable; the information below is for reference only.
Urea in the blood: indications for prescription, rules for preparing for the test, interpretation of the results and normal indicators.
What is urea
Urea is a product that is formed in the liver as a result of the synthesis of ammonia and carbon dioxide. The resulting compound is delivered by blood to the kidneys, where the filtering organ separates it from the general bloodstream and sends it into the urine.
Urea is a product unnecessary by the body, which must be completely eliminated, since its accumulation gives an osmotic effect, which can cause swelling of the internal organs in which it accumulates:
- liver;
- kidney;
- thyroid gland;
- spleen;
- pancreas.
Normally, the final product - urea - should be excreted from the body, but if there are any abnormalities in the functioning of the system, it is detected in the blood.
What does urea in the blood mean?
Based on the state of the blood, namely the presence of high concentrations of urea in it, one can judge:
- the functioning of the kidneys, which are required to remove waste substances;
- about the function of the liver, which synthesizes urea from ammonia;
- about the health of muscle tissue, since the breakdown of protein in the muscles also produces urea.
Indications for testing may include:
- cardiac ischemia;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- systemic scleroderma;
- liver diseases;
- screening results that do not fit within the normal range;
- suspected kidney infections;
- preparation for drug therapy;
- studies before hospitalization;
- assessment of the dialysis procedure performed.
Most often, an increase in urea indicates chronic or acute kidney disease. Separately, a comparative analysis is carried out for the urea content in urine and blood. If the level of the substance in the urine is lower than what is found in the blood, they speak of a disease of the filtration system - renal failure.
Urea: norm and pathology
The test results are interpreted according to the patient's age and gender. Lifestyle, a number of physiological indicators and other factors are also taken into account. Only a doctor can correctly evaluate the test results.
The test is used as part of a comprehensive laboratory diagnosis of kidney and liver diseases. It must be taken into account that in some cases an increase in indicators is not a sign of pathology. For example, an increase in urea levels can be caused by eating too much protein or significant physical activity (after heavy physical work, intense sports training). A decrease in indicators is typical for pregnant women.
A significant increase in the level of this substance may indicate renal failure or disruption of the excretory system. Indicators below the reference values indicate liver pathologies and impaired protein absorption. Normally, urea levels in adult patients should be in the range of 2.1-7.1 mmol/l. For children and patients over 60 years of age, their own reference values have been established.
Why might urea be elevated?
To determine the level of urea in the blood, a laboratory method called a biochemical blood test is used. It involves taking material from a vein. For each age category of patients there is its own norm for urea content in the blood:
- in newborns from 1.7 to 5;
- in children of the first year of life from 1.4 to 5.4;
- from one to 15 years old can have 1.8-6.7;
- women over 18 years old - from 2 to 6.7;
- men over 18 years old - from 2.8 to 8.
Several factors influence the urea content. One of which is the level of amino acids in the body, since ammonia is formed from them during metabolism, which becomes one of the components of urea. On the other hand, with a sufficient amount of amino acids, the diseased liver will not be able to synthesize urea, which will be the reason for the detection of its negligible amount. The third important factor is the performance of the kidneys, which must, by filtering the blood, extract urea from it and send it out of the body with urine.
If we exclude all possible pathologies, then we can say that the following factors not related to the disease can increase the level of urea in the blood:
- on the eve of the collection of material, severe emotional stress was experienced;
- the patient had to buy and take a drug from the list: Tetracycline, Euthyrox, Neomycin, Lasix, any drug from the group of corticosteroids or sulfonamides, anabolic steroids, steroids, salicylates;
- the patient fasted for a long time or, on the contrary, ate a lot of protein foods;
- the patient on the eve of the delivery of the material or daily subjected the body to heavy physical activity.
When a doctor tries to determine the quality of kidney function, the presence of urea in the blood may indicate:
- blockage of the urinary ducts;
- chronic. renal failure;
- glomerulonephritis;
- pyelonephritis;
- dehydration, which could be preceded by myocardial infarction, shock or heart failure.
Separately, we should highlight the reasons why urea is formed in the human body in huge quantities:
- prostate neoplasms;
- burn disease;
- severe intestinal infections;
- hematological diseases;
- state of shock.
To accurately determine the patient’s condition, it is necessary to conduct several laboratory tests in a row to see the picture in dynamics; in addition, it is necessary to measure the amount of urea in the urine in order to be able to compare this indicator with blood data.
Blood chemistry. Decoding the main indicators
5. Total protein. Total protein in the blood is the total amount of all protein fractions in the blood. The normal level of total protein in the blood in adults ranges from 65 to 85 g/l.
Total protein consists of albumin, fibrinogen and four globulin fractions (alpha1, alpha2, beta and gamma globulins). The level of protein in plasma allows you to assess the condition of organs such as the liver, kidneys, pancreas, identify disturbances in carbohydrate, lipid or protein metabolism, determine micronutrient deficiency, etc.
Urea and creatinine will tell you about the function of the kidneys: 6. Urea. Creatinine. They are indicators of kidney function. A urea test is usually ordered in combination with a blood creatinine test. To assess kidney function in a range of conditions (in conjunction with a creatinine test). For the diagnosis of kidney disease and for checking the condition of patients with chronic or acute renal failure.
Generally, 2.2 - 7.3 mmol/L is considered normal urea level and any value higher or lower means that there is some abnormality in the body and it is necessary to pay attention and find out the reason for the change in urea level.
Creatinine is a chemical waste product created when muscles function. Its increase is affected by the consumption of large amounts of protein or liver pathology.
Creatinine levels may also temporarily increase with intense exercise or with the use of certain medications such as sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, or chemotherapy drugs (such as sports supplements). Other causes include conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or thyroid disease.
7. Iron. It's also worth checking regularly. Iron is one of the most important microelements in the body. It is part of the hemoglobin of red blood cells and thus participates in the transfer of oxygen. The normal level of iron in the blood is one at which the body can fully function. If hemoglobin is low, this is a reason to consult a doctor and conduct the necessary research. Typical reasons for low iron levels include:
- improper diet;
- heavy blood loss;
- impaired absorption of iron;
- increased need for microelements.
8. C-reactive protein (CRP) is an informative indicator of the current inflammatory process in the body. This protein is synthesized by the liver and is one of the markers of the acute phase of inflammation.
The level of CRP in the blood may increase within several hours after the onset of an infectious disease, injury, or in the first hours after surgery. CRP quickly responds to changes in the dynamics of the disease and quickly returns to normal upon recovery.
9. Uric acid. Normally – up to 428 µmol/l. Uric acid is a waste product from the metabolism of nucleic acids and purines in the body. The latter are formed mainly in the process of natural cell death. Uric acid enters the body from meat products (liver, red meat, legumes, fish) and from liquids (beer, wine) and is formed in the body. A uric acid test is necessary to determine the cause of gout. When the content of this compound in the body exceeds the norm, its salts begin to be deposited in the joints, causing acute arthritis and the formation of nodules called tophi. In addition, this acid promotes the formation of kidney stones.
During the Middle Ages, gout was often called the “disease of kings.” This is explained by constant large meals without any measure, as well as the tendency to illness in men over forty years of age. The kidneys of those who abused food and wine could not cope with the huge concentration of uric acid. Ordinary people ate a limited diet, and could not afford so much meat and alcohol, which contain the most purines, so they got sick less often.
The material was prepared with the direct participation of N.V. Degtyareva, a doctor of laboratory diagnostics of the highest category at the Botkin Hospital.
Thank you for your assistance and information!
Symptoms indicating increased urea
Based on his feelings, the patient himself can often tell that the level of urea in the blood may be elevated. This is primarily indicated by pain in the lower back in both men and women. It indicates kidney disease.
Separately distinguished:
- swelling;
- increased amount of urine produced;
- scanty urine production;
- the presence of protein in the urine.
However, indications for donating blood for urea may be:
- ischemic diseases;
- hepatitis;
- cirrhosis;
- decreased absorption of foods;
- connective tissue diseases.
The level of urea indicates several possible pathologies at once, so this analysis is often used to monitor the patient’s condition.
Indications for the study
A blood test for urea is prescribed if the doctor suspects that the patient has kidney or liver pathologies. It is also used to monitor the progress of treatment for such diseases. The test can be administered to patients of any age, including newborns. Kidney problems can be suspected if the patient complains of swelling, sleep disturbances, weakness, decreased appetite or diuresis, pain in the lumbar region, or high blood pressure.
If indicated, the test is usually prescribed independently. In some cases, it is included in a set of studies to obtain the most complete assessment of the patient’s condition.
How to take a urea test correctly
You need to prepare for the analysis so as not to receive distorted data. First of all, you need to remember that blood is donated strictly on an empty stomach. In addition, since urea production is affected by the breakdown of muscle fibers, it is important to avoid physical activity on the eve of the test. If you can’t get to the laboratory without excessive physical activity, you need to arrive at the door of the office no later than half an hour before the appointed time in order to have time to calm down and put your nervous system in order.
If the patient is taking any medications, it is better to postpone the morning dose until the blood has already been donated. Immediately before the donation, you should not do massages, biopsies, or x-rays, especially those using contrast.
Complexes with this research
Kidneys.
Extended examination 2,040 ₽ Composition Women's check-up No. 1 38 studies for an annual preventive examination 19,290 ₽ Composition
Biochemistry of blood. 8 indicators Minimum biochemical blood test 990 ₽ Composition
IN OTHER COMPLEXES
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