Urea Test - Serum

The Urea Test - Serum measures the amount of urea in your blood serum.

• To diagnose and monitor kidney disease
• To assess dehydration or overhydration
• To monitor the effectiveness of dialysis treatments
• To evaluate other conditions such as liver disease, heart failure, and gastrointestinal bleeding

• Your doctor may recommend this test if you exhibit symptoms of kidney disease such as fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting or swelling in the hands and feet.
• You might also undergo this test if you have a family history of kidney disease or are taking medications that could impact kidney function.

High levels of urea nitrogen in your blood may indicate kidney problems, heart failure or dehydration, while low levels may be indicative of liver problems or malnutrition.

A blood sample will be taken from your arm by a lab technician. The sample is then sent to the lab for testing.

• Inform your doctor of any medications or supplements you are taking that could impact the test results. Also, tell them if you have any specific requirements.
• You may be instructed to fast for a few hours before the test.

• Creatinine Test: This blood test measures the level of creatinine in your blood and is used to evaluate kidney function.
• Electrolyte Tests: These blood tests measure levels of various electrolytes to help diagnose and monitor various conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease or dehydration.

• Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test
• Serum urea nitrogen (SUN) test
• Urea nitrogen test
• Urea blood test

There are many different types of kidney disease, but they can be broadly categorized into two main types: acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

1. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a sudden loss of kidney function. It can be caused by a number of factors, including dehydration, medications, infection, injury, certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure
2. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a long-term (or lifelong) condition that affects the kidneys' ability to filter waste products from the blood. It is caused by a number of factors, including high blood pressure, diabetes, family history, certain medications, kidney stones

The different types of kidney disease include:

1. Glomerulonephritis: This is a condition that affects the glomeruli, which are tiny filters in the kidneys. Glomerulonephritis can be caused by a number of factors, including infection, autoimmune diseases, and certain medications.
2. Polycystic kidney disease (PKD): This is a genetic condition that causes cysts to form in the kidneys. PKD can lead to kidney failure over time.
3. Nephrotic syndrome: This is a condition that causes the kidneys to leak protein into the urine. Nephrotic syndrome can be caused by a number of factors, including glomerulonephritis, diabetes, and certain medications.
4. Kidney cancer: This is a type of cancer that starts in the kidneys. Kidney cancer is more common in men than in women.