Urea
Kidney Function marker
Urea
Category: Kidney Function
Unit: mmol/L
Waste product from protein metabolism. Elevated with high protein intake or kidney issues.
PED Notes
High protein diets (common in bodybuilding) will elevate urea. This is expected and not concerning unless accompanied by elevated creatinine and low eGFR. Dehydration also elevates urea.
When high
Lifestyle:
- Ensure adequate hydration (3-4L/day) -- most common cause of elevation
- If persistently elevated with other kidney markers, reduce protein intake temporarily and retest
Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is a prescription or a treatment plan, and it does not account for your history, medications or conditions. Use it to ask better questions: bring it to your doctor and decide together. Full disclaimer.
History Chart
Reading History
Frequently Asked Questions
Reference Ranges
Standard Range
3 - 8 mmol/L
VitalMetrics Range
3 - 10 mmol/L