Urea is the principal nitrogenous waste product of the body’s metabolic process and is generated from protein breakdown. It is the most widely used screening test for the evaluation of kidney function. Along with the Serum creatinine, urea levels aid in the differential diagnosis of prerenal, renal, and postrenal hyperuricemia.
Why get the Blood Urea test?
A blood urea/blood urea nitrogen test is done if your doctor suspects kidney damage. Your doctor may also order this test to check the effectiveness of dialysis treatment if you are receiving hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. It may be ordered as a part of a blood test group to help diagnose a number of other conditions, such as liver damage, urinary tract obstruction, congestive heart failure, or gastrointestinal bleeding — although an abnormal BUN test result alone doesn't confirm any of these conditions.
When to take this test?
Anytime
Frequency to repeat test
Every 6 months
Precautions to be taken before for the test
No particular precautions are required unless it is recommended by your doctor.
