What is the 24hrs URINE UREA?
Your body creates ammonia when it breaks down the protein from foods. Ammonia contains nitrogen, which mixes with other elements in your body, including carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, to form urea. Urea is a waste product that is excreted by the kidneys when you urinate.
The urine urea nitrogen test determines how much urea is in the urine to assess the amount of protein breakdown. The test can help determine how well the kidneys are functioning and whether your intake of protein is too high or low. Additionally, it can help diagnose whether you have a problem with protein digestion or absorption from the gut.
Purpose of a urine urea nitrogen test
Your doctor will usually recommend a urea test to determine protein levels in the body. The test can determine how much protein you’re eating and if it’s an adequate amount. In addition, your urea nitrogen levels may rise if you’re going through heart failure or dehydration.
A common test for urea nitrogen is the blood urea nitrogen test, better known as BUN. This article refers to the urine urea nitrogen test, which is performed using a urine sample.
A urea nitrogen test can also:
- assess how well the kidneys are functioning
- determine if you have kidney disease
- monitor your kidney disease
- help diagnose a number of diseases and disorders that may affect how your kidneys function
Urine urea nitrogen test process
The urine urea nitrogen test involves analyzing urine samples that you collect during a specified 24-hour period.
Follow your doctor’s orders about how to collect the sample. Generally, you will maintain normal eating and drinking habits during the collection phase.
