About the product
UREAL (Urea/BUN) is an in vitro diagnostic reagent from Roche Diagnostics for the measurement of urea and urea nitrogen. According to Roche’s product page, the test is for the quantitative determination of urea and urea nitrogen in human serum, plasma and urine.
The same page contains a separate intended-use statement for the cobas c 111. The product is part of the Roche Diagnostics test kit range supplied by Tilia Medical.
Measured parameter and clinical significance
Urea nitrogen is a waste product formed when the body breaks down proteins; the kidneys filter it from the blood and remove it in urine. According to MedlinePlus, the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test measures the amount of this substance in the blood and is often part of the comprehensive metabolic panel.
MedlinePlus states that high values can indicate that the kidneys are not clearing waste adequately, but fluid loss, burns, certain medicines, a high-protein diet or a recent heart attack can also raise the value. Low values may be associated with insufficient protein intake, malnutrition or liver disease. Because BUN is only one measure, it is usually evaluated together with creatinine and GFR.
The BUN test is a simple blood draw and needs very little preparation. According to MedlinePlus, people with risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a family history of kidney problems, smoking or age over 60 may be tested even without symptoms.
Technical information
- Sample type (Roche): human serum, plasma and urine
- Analyzers (Roche): cobas c 111; cobas c 303/503/703; cobas c 311/501/502; cobas c 701/702; COBAS INTEGRA 400 plus
- Pack size (Roche): 2000 tests and 600 tests (cobas c 303/503/703); 500 tests (COBAS INTEGRA 400 plus and cobas c 311/501/502); 1900 tests (cobas c 701/702); 4 x 100 tests (cobas c 111)
- Measuring range and method principle: not stated on the Roche product page
Use and compatibility
On Roche’s product page, a separate pack is defined for each analyzer group for UREAL. Two different pack sizes are listed for the cobas c 303/503/703 group. The suitability of the pack for the analyzer to be used should be confirmed against the Method Sheet.
For product, quotation and technical information requests, use the contact form or write to info@tiliamedical.com.
Frequently asked questions
According to Roche, it measures urea and urea nitrogen in human serum, plasma and urine.
The Roche page lists 2000 and 600 tests (cobas c 303/503/703), 500 tests (COBAS INTEGRA 400 plus and cobas c 311/501/502), 1900 tests (cobas c 701/702) and 4 x 100 tests (cobas c 111).
According to MedlinePlus, the test is used to evaluate and monitor kidney disease, in routine checkups and in investigating signs of kidney disease.
