What could be the long-term consequences?
Since the causes of a lowered urea value are very different, it is not possible to name the concrete consequences of a value that has been lowered over a long period of time. Consequences do not occur due to the lowered value but on the basis of the underlying disease. The most common cause, the low-protein diet or malnutrition, can result in a reduction in muscle mass. It also leads to a persistent feeling of weakness or constant fatigue. In extreme cases, the breakdown of the musculature can also affect the heart muscle, resulting in reduced cardiac output.
What is the urea-creatinine quotient?
The urea–creatinine quotient is a measure of protein metabolism. It measures the values of urea and creatinine in blood serum and divides the value for urea by that for creatinine. A quotient is obtained.
A reduced quotient usually indicates a lack of protein intake or, in rare cases, liver damage. Diseases that are associated with an increased protein breakdown lead to increased quotient values. These include, for example, a massive breakdown of red blood cells (haemolysis) or a serious accident. Also a therapy with cortisone and similar drugs (glucocorticoids) can lead to an increase. This topic could be of further interest to you: Hemolytic anemia
