Understanding Serum Urea Levels and Kidney Function
The serum urea test is a simple yet effective measure of kidney function. It assesses how well your kidneys filter urea, a waste product formed from protein metabolism in the liver. Here’s a more detailed look:
- What It Measures:
Serum urea levels reflect how efficiently your kidneys are filtering waste from the blood. Elevated levels indicate impaired kidney function or dehydration, while lower levels might suggest malnutrition or liver disease. - Normal Range:
- For adults, the typical serum urea range is between 2.5 to 7.1 mmol/L.
- Children tend to have lower values due to differences in metabolism.
- What Elevated Levels Mean:
High serum urea levels can suggest:- Kidney Dysfunction: Often seen in chronic kidney disease or acute kidney injury.
- Dehydration: Urea levels can rise when you're not getting enough fluids.
- High-Protein Diet: Excess protein intake increases urea production.
- What Low Levels Indicate:
Lower-than-normal urea levels may indicate:- Liver Dysfunction: Since urea is produced in the liver, poor liver function can result in low urea levels.
- Malnutrition: A diet lacking sufficient protein can cause low urea levels.
Serum urea tests are frequently used alongside creatinine tests to provide a more complete picture of kidney health.
Recommended Tests
- Creatinine Blood Test
Creatinine is another waste product filtered by the kidneys. Testing both serum urea and creatinine levels gives a more comprehensive view of kidney health.
Creatinine Test - Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR)
This test estimates how well the kidneys are filtering waste and is often paired with serum urea and creatinine tests for a complete assessment of kidney function.
eGFR Test
