Urea is a substance that plays a huge role in protein metabolism. The main difference of any protein is the presence of a large amount of nitrogen as a chemical element. During metabolism, this nitrogen is released, and ammonia is formed from it - one of the most toxic for the body. Formed on the periphery, it enters the liver, where, under the action of special enzymes, it turns into less toxic urea, which is sent to the kidneys and excreted in the urine.
UREA is a key indicator of the excretory capacity of the kidneys. If their function is impaired, then this compound does not pass the renal filter and is retained in the vascular bed. The norm is 2.5 – 8.3 mmol/l. In middle-aged people, the indicator should not exceed 6.9 – 7.2. A number of laboratories identify different upper limits for men and women: 7.1 and 6.8, respectively.
Normal values may vary depending on:
Excess may indicate:
Extensive injuries (especially with muscle compression), burns, frostbite, poisoning, severe infections also lead to an increase in concentration.
It is necessary to take into account that with all the above pathologies, other changes (characteristic symptoms, shifts in accompanying studies) should be present in the clinical picture. Isolated increase is quite rare and requires repeated determination.
A decrease in the level indicates violations of protein and nitrogen metabolism. Sometimes this condition is more dangerous than high numbers. This is associated with liver disease (cirrhosis, hepatosis, hepatitis), which is not able to neutralize ammonia and convert it into less toxic compounds. The toxin accumulates and has a pronounced negative effect.
Low values are observed in exhausted patients.
Blood should be donated when symptoms such as:
If a diagnosis has already been established, the doctor himself determines the indications for the study. As a rule, the level of creatinine, bilirubin and total protein is determined in parallel for a comprehensive assessment of the pathological process.
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