Urea - urine
Last updated: Wednesday, 31, March, 2004
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| Item | Process |
|---|---|
| Specimen | Random or 24 hour urine collection. |
| Method | Spectrophotometry. |
| Reference Interval | 420-720 mmol/24 hours. |
| Application | Urine urea is only occasionally of value in the assessment of nitrogen balance in patients receiving parenteral nutrition, or in selected patients with non-oliguric acute or chronic renal failure. Urine urea may also be of value on a random specimen, in the presence of oliguria, to assess renal function. |
| Interpretation | Urea excretion is largely dependent on protein intake, tissue breakdown and renal function. |
| Reference | Eckfeldt J et al. Clin Chem 1982; 28: 1500-1502. |