Elevated Urea
Overview
An elevated serum urea may be an indicator of renal injury, though it may also be raised in the setting of dehydration, protein breakdown or a protein load.
Causes of Elevated Urea
Renal Failure
- Acute kidney injury
- Chronic kidney disease
Other Causes
- Dehydration
- Catabolic state - trauma, sepsis, starvation, corticosteroids
- Protein load - GI bleed (especially upper GI), high protein diet
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