Urea

What Does This Test Check?

Urea is a waste product from protein breakdown that the kidneys clear. Together with creatinine it forms the basic kidney function screen.

Lola Health lists this as an add-on biomarker at £12, posted as a home sample with results in one to four working days. It cannot be bought on its own: you pick it while ordering one of Lola's main blood tests, so it suits someone who already knows which extra marker they want.

A raised level may indicate reduced kidney filtering or dehydration, and high protein intake raises it mildly. It is read alongside creatinine and eGFR rather than alone. Whatever the reading, an out-of-range result needs a doctor who can see the whole picture, so go through it with your GP before acting on it.