HealthMedicine

Urea. The norm and the reasons for its deviations.

Urea is a product of protein decay. During the deamination reaction of amino acids, ammonia is formed. In order to reduce its toxicity and render harmless, urea is synthesized in the liver. Urea is a low molecular weight compound that freely passes through the membranes of cells of red blood cells and parenchymatous organs. Despite the fact that urea itself is low in toxicity, the potassium ions that accumulate along with it and the guanidine derivatives are toxic. That is why it is important for the human body that urea is constantly maintained at the required level. The norm of its content depends on the person's age, and analysis can show it.

Urea is an osmotic active substance, so its excessive accumulation can lead to swelling of the tissue of the parenchymal organs, central nervous system, subcutaneous tissue, myocardium.

In order to determine how effectively the glomerular apparatus of the kidneys function, the level in which urea concentrates in the plasma can be studied. The norm of its content in serum should be 1.8-7.5 mmol / l. At the same time, the lowest indicator can be characteristic for children under the age of 14 years, and the highest - for the elderly, whose age reaches more than 60 years. In neonates, this indicator should not be more than 4.3 and not less than 1.4 mmol / l.

To determine the concentration of urea make a biochemical blood test. For a more complete picture, along with urea, creatine content can also be determined. If, according to the results of the analysis, urea has been increased, this condition is called uremia. Most often it is accompanied by a clinically pronounced intoxication syndrome. Urea is formed in high amounts in catabolic states, with excessive protein intake, as well as with the assimilation of proteins and amino acids after gastric bleeding. In plasma, urea concentration increases as a result of dehydration of the body, due to increased passive absorption in the tubules of the kidneys. Among the diseases leading to an increase in the level of urea, you can list the following:

  • Amyloidosis, kidney, pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, kidney tuberculosis ;
  • An impaired urine outflow or poor permeability of the urinary tract;
  • Malignant tumors and leukemia;
  • Heart failure;
  • Bleeding;
  • Myocardial infarction;
  • Intestinal obstruction;
  • Febrile state;
  • Burns or shock;
  • Dehydration;
  • Cachexia;

There is also a physiological state when the index in which urea concentrates in the blood rises . The norm of its required level can be exceeded as a result of constant heavy physical exertion.

Increase the content of urea can and the use of certain medicines. Among them can be named such as butadion, anabolic steroids, aldometh, dopegit, alkaloids rauwolfia, iron preparations, as well as nephrotoxic drugs.

As a result of a blood test, it can be determined that urea is lowered. True, this happens very rarely. Most often this happens in cases when the synthetic function of the liver is impaired, and also if the patient consumes a small amount of proteins. To provoke a decrease in the blood level of urea, such diseases as liver cirrhosis, hepatitis and hepatic coma, hyperhydration, acromegaly, arsenic or phosphorus poisoning , as well as the condition after dialysis may result. At the physiological level, urea can decrease during pregnancy. The norm of its concentration in the blood during this period is significantly reduced. The cause of lowering urea can also become a diet or starvation. That's why you need to properly approach the diet.

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