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Choose collection locationBiochemistry · Individual laboratory test
Urea
Urea forms as the body processes protein and is removed mainly by the kidneys. A blood result is often viewed alongside creatinine.
Price for this test on its ownAED 125Test price AED 25
Clinical authorDr Nirupama SabhapathySpecialist Clinical Pathology
- Sample
- Serum
- Laboratory turnaround
- 24 hours
- Collection
- Dubai
- Laboratory
- Intel Lab
Understanding the test
What does the Urea test measure?
Also called Kidney Waste Marker
A urea result helps assess how kidneys handle a protein waste product. It may be useful in tracking kidney disease or fluid changes.
When it may be requested
A kidney assessment
Urea is one of several waste markers used when reviewing filtration.
Diet and fluids
A recent change in protein intake or hydration can help explain a change in the result.
Before your sample
Prepare for collection
SpecimenSerum
Your checklist
Fasting is generally unnecessary for urea. Keep to your usual fluid and protein intake, within any medical restrictions, and report recent fluid loss or a major diet change.
A clinician takes a small sample of blood from a vein. The laboratory uses serum, the liquid separated from the blood after it clots.
Smart Report
Understanding your result
24 hoursLaboratory turnaround
Result guideUrea
Reading your result
Kidney clearance is only part of the picture. A high-protein intake, dehydration and other clinical factors can alter urea, so the result is usually compared with creatinine.
What can affect it
- Urea and BUN use different reporting conventions.
From sample to follow-up
Your testing journey
Laboratory testUrea
- Specimen
- Serum
- Turnaround
- 24 hours
Open your laboratory report
Look for Urea in your report. Use the sample type and collection time when comparing it with an earlier report.
Explore Smart Report
Discuss the next step
Take both the units and the test name from older reports, particularly if one used BUN, so the clinician can compare like with like.
Health packages
Packages that include this test
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Clinical expertise
Your laboratory team
Patient questions
Before you book
Are urea and BUN interchangeable numbers?
They describe related aspects of the same substance but use different reporting conventions. Use the units and reference interval printed for your own test.
What does a high urea level mean?
Reduced kidney clearance is the classic explanation, but it is not the only one. Dehydration, reduced blood flow to the kidneys as in heart failure, bleeding into the digestive tract, major injury, burns, severe infection, steroid treatment and obstruction to urine flow from prostate enlargement or stones all raise it. Your doctor uses creatinine and your symptoms to tell these apart.
What does a low urea level mean?
A low urea is not a sign of especially good health. It reflects less urea being made or more dilution: advanced liver disease, since the liver produces urea, a diet persistently low in protein or malnutrition, overhydration, or pregnancy, when plasma volume expands and kidney filtration increases. On its own it is usually not concerning, and your doctor reads it with your liver tests and diet.
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Explore health packages.
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Basic Wellness
A complete blood count with liver enzymes, cholesterol, kidney markers and fasting blood sugar from one blood sample.
- biomarkers
- 31
- Samples
- Blood
- Listed turnaround
- 24 hours
AED 129
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Advanced Health Checkup
A broad whole-body screen covering blood, urine and stool with kidney, liver, lipid, iron, diabetes and vitamin markers.
- biomarkers
- 72
- Samples
- Blood + Urine + Stool
- Listed turnaround
- 24 hours
AED 299
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Executive Health Checkup
A whole-body screen of blood, urine and stool with kidney, liver, lipid, iron, diabetes and vitamin markers, plus thyroid function and a full…
- biomarkers
- 77
- Samples
- Blood + Urine + Stool
- Listed turnaround
- 48 hours
AED 429
Explore package
Elite Health Checkup
A comprehensive assessment adding reproductive hormone profiling to our executive panel for complete clarity.
- biomarkers
- 80
- Samples
- Blood + Urine + Stool
- Listed turnaround
- 48 hours
AED 599
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Your next step
Urea test at home.
Sources & further reading
Written by Dr Nirupama Sabhapathy, Specialist Clinical Pathology. Medically reviewed by Dr Joyce Jose, Specialist Clinical Pathology, on .
Catalogue information and AED price checked on 2 November 2026. Clinical suitability, preparation, collection arrangements and turnaround are confirmed for your selected test.