Why Urea on a Blood Test Matters
On a blood test, urea is rarely given the attention it deserves. Even when it's marked as low, it's often ignored.
This is an important topic for women to know about since so many of you reading this will have sub-optimal haemoglobin levels right now. Urea and haemoglobin have an interesting connection.
What Does Low Urea Mean?
So what can low urea indicate, and how is it connected to haemoglobin?
- Low urea can mean low dietary intake of protein.
- Haemoglobin is made of four protein chains.
- To maintain adequate haemoglobin levels, we need sufficient dietary protein (along with iron, folate, riboflavin, B12, copper, and Vitamin A).
If someone has low urea, it may indicate they aren't consuming enough protein. Even if they correct other deficiencies—such as low iron—without enough protein, haemoglobin production won’t be optimal.
The Optimal Urea Range
The ideal urea level is 5-7 on a blood test.
However, labs typically don’t flag urea as low unless it drops below 3.5. This means many people are unknowingly dealing with suboptimal protein intake. Go through your past blood tests and check your urea levels.
Boost Your Protein Intake: Every Meal Counts
If your urea is low, you should have protein at EVERY single meal.
Best Sources of Protein
- Meat: Beef, chicken, lamb, turkey (most people get enough at dinner)
- Eggs: Omelette with veggies, poached with avocado, scrambled with butter
- Protein Powders: Add to porridge, yogurt, smoothies, or make protein pancakes
- Peanut Butter: Spread on porridge or blend into smoothies
- Lentils: Great for soups, curries, or salads
- Salmon: A high-protein, omega-3-rich option
Don’t Forget Breakfast and Lunch!
Dinner is usually covered, but breakfast and lunch often lack protein. Adding protein-rich foods to these meals can help maintain optimal haemoglobin levels and overall health.
