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Urea

Overview of Urea and Its Role in the Body
Urea is the primary end product of protein nitrogen metabolism in the human body. It is formed in the liver through the urea cycle from ammonia, which is generated during the breakdown of amino acids.

How Urea Is Eliminated from the Body
Urea is primarily excreted through the kidneys, with smaller amounts eliminated via sweat and intestinal degradation by bacteria.

Significance of Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) Testing
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) testing is widely used to evaluate kidney function. When combined with serum creatinine levels, it becomes a useful tool in distinguishing between the three types of azotemia:

Prerenal (e.g., shock, reduced blood volume, poor kidney perfusion)

Renal (e.g., nephritis, nephrosclerosis, tubular or glomerular damage)

Postrenal (e.g., urinary tract obstruction)

Factors That Can Influence Urea Levels
Increased urea levels may result from:

Dehydration or shock

High protein intake

Chronic kidney disease

Urinary blockages
Liver disease can also cause unpredictable urea concentrations due to impaired synthesis.

Private Kidney Function Testing in Slough and Nearby Areas
Vitalync Diagnosis offers fast and accurate urea and kidney function blood tests in Slough, Windsor, Maidenhead, Langley, and surrounding Berkshire areas. Book your test today to monitor your renal health and get professional advice based on your results.

There is an additional £25 phlebotomy fee for every donation.