UREA - urine

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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.

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