Pregnant women are often prescribed a biochemical blood test. This analysis helps to identify many pathologies that can affect the bearing and development of the fetus. However, in such a period, the test indicators may deviate from the norm due to hormonal changes in the body. Often, when analyzing biochemistry, it turns out that a woman has low blood urea during pregnancy. What is the reason for such indicators and how dangerous is it? We will consider these issues in detail below.
What is urea
Urea is one of the products of protein metabolism. Otherwise, this compound is called urea. During the period of gestation, the metabolism of proteins (proteins) is significantly accelerated, since these substances are necessary for the placenta and the normal development of the embryo.
Urea is the end product of protein metabolism. This substance is excreted from the body mainly through the organs of excretion. The accumulation of such decay products is harmful. Urea refers to ammonia compounds and is toxic for both the expectant mother and the fetus. This applies to elevated levels of urea. However, a low blood urea during pregnancy also indicates pathology.
During the gestational period, the body contains a large amount of fluid. In addition, the excretory organs try to dispose of harmful substances as soon as possible in order to protect the fetus. These factors lead to a decrease in blood urea during pregnancy. However, a drop in urea levels is not always associated with natural causes. In some cases, this can be caused by various pathologies.
Norms of analysis
As already mentioned, urea levels can be detected by biochemical analysis. For this study, blood is drawn from a vein. You can do this test in any clinic. In this case, cholesterol, creatinine, glucose and other compounds are also determined.
Indicators of blood urea during pregnancy are considered indicators from 2.5 to 7.1 mmol / L. This refers to the first half of the gestational period. In the third trimester, the upper limit of the norm is 6.3 mmol / L. In late pregnancy, the elimination of harmful substances from the body, as a rule, is enhanced. The excretory organs in this period are especially active.
The results of the analysis must be shown to the attending physician. If there are deviations from the norm, the specialist will prescribe additional diagnostic tests.
Reasons for lower carbamide
A reduced blood urea level during pregnancy may be due to the following reasons:
- hepatic pathologies;
- impaired pituitary and hypothalamic function;
- kidney disease
- pathologies of the stomach and intestines;
- the use of certain drugs;
- lack of protein in the diet.
If the deviations in the analysis are related to improper diet or medication, then these reasons can be easily eliminated. In these cases, it is enough to introduce protein-rich foods into the diet, or reduce the dosage of the drugs. Usually after this, the level of urea in the blood during pregnancy comes back to normal. If deviations in the analysis are caused by pathology, then it is necessary to undergo a course of therapy for the underlying disease.
Liver disease
Liver diseases are the most common cause of urea reduction. This body is involved in the processing of proteins. Deterioration of his work always leads to metabolic disorders.
The cause of a decrease in urea can be hepatitis, cirrhosis, as well as liver tumors. As a result, a pregnant woman decreases protein metabolism and urea is formed in small quantities. Such pathologies are usually accompanied by pain on the right side under the ribs, yellowing of the skin and dyspeptic symptoms.
Taking certain medications can adversely affect the condition of the liver and lead to a drop in urea levels. These medicines include:
- preparations containing acetylsalicylic acid;
- cephalosporin antibiotics;
- tetracycline-based antibacterial drugs;
- cytostatics.
Such drugs should not be taken during pregnancy. This is due not only to their hepatotoxicity. Such medications can adversely affect the development of the fetus.
Pituitary and hypothalamic disorders
Pituitary diseases can also cause a woman to have lower blood urea during pregnancy. This may be due to such a serious ailment as acromegaly. With this pathology, the patient has an increased level of growth hormone (growth hormone). It inhibits the formation of urea.
The disease manifests itself in the proliferation of the facial part of the skull, hands and feet. The most common cause of pathology is a pituitary tumor. A woman needs consultation with an endocrinologist and a neurosurgeon. With a large tumor in the second trimester, an operation is performed to remove the neoplasm. Surgical intervention is carried out in the most gentle way - through the nasal passage.
Another reason for the reduction of urea may be excessive secretion of antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin). This substance is formed in the hypothalamus. This condition is called Parkhon's syndrome. With this pathology, the level of sodium and urea in the blood drops. The disease is accompanied by sharp weight loss, convulsions and vomiting. It is necessary to limit the amount of fluid consumed and taking vasopressin antagonists.
Excretory diseases
Often in patients with kidney disease, blood urea is lowered during pregnancy. This is noted with nephrotic syndrome. This condition is accompanied by edema, protein loss and an increase in lipid levels. Biochemical blood parameters have serious deviations from the norm. Due to the increased excretion of proteins, the level of urea is sharply reduced.
Gastrointestinal pathology
Urea can be lowered due to irritable bowel syndrome or enteritis. With such diseases, the absorption of proteins and other beneficial substances is impaired. Gastroenterologists call this condition malabsorption. It is characterized by anemia, diarrhea, vitamin deficiency and a feeling of constant fatigue.
A decrease in urea is also observed in patients with pancreatitis. Chronic inflammation in the pancreas adversely affects protein metabolism. The patient complains of pain in the middle of the abdomen and nausea.
Strict diet
Often, blood urea is lowered during pregnancy in women who follow a vegetarian diet. Protein is found mainly in meat foods. If a woman excludes such food from the diet, then this leads to a protein deficiency and a decrease in urea. If the expectant mother is a supporter of vegetarianism, then you should eat as many other protein-rich foods as possible. They can replace meat food. Such foods include:
- eggs
- milk products;
- Legumes
- walnuts;
- buckwheat porridge;
- mushrooms.
You should not completely deprive your body of protein food. During pregnancy, it is unacceptable to adhere to too strict diets. After all, proteins are necessary for the normal development of the fetus.
Signs of urea reduction
A decrease in the level of urea negatively affects the general well-being of the pregnant woman and the development of the fetus. The following symptoms are noted:
- the appearance of edema;
- small weight gain;
- increased hemoglobin in the second and third trimester;
- high blood pressure;
- intrauterine growth retardation.
If such manifestations are found in oneself, it is necessary to consult a doctor and undergo an examination. This may be a sign of a decrease in protein and urea.
How to prepare for analysis
It is important to remember that in some cases a biochemistry test can give false results. Therefore, it is important to properly prepare for the study.
Such an analysis is always taken on an empty stomach. Before the study, you need to avoid physical exertion and stress. If the patient takes any medications, then a doctor should be warned about this.
If urea is elevated
There are times when a pregnant woman has increased blood urea. The reason for this is most often uremic syndrome, in which renal function is impaired. This condition is a complication of infectious diseases. Sometimes the uremic syndrome develops after vaccination. Therefore, during pregnancy, it is necessary to protect yourself from infection with viruses and bacteria, and vaccination should be postponed until the postpartum period.
However, often even in the absence of renal pathologies, the patient has increased blood urea. The causes of this can be burns, bowel obstruction, leukemia, bleeding.
Urea is a toxic substance and an increase in its level negatively affects the health of women and unborn babies. The patient complains of nausea, abdominal pain and fatigue.
How to normalize urea levels
If a decrease or increase in urea is caused by pathologies, then an additional examination is necessary. Then, according to the results of the tests, the doctor prescribes treatment.
With a decrease in urea, the patient is also recommended to pay attention to the diet. You need to eat as much protein food as possible. If urea is elevated, then a diet with a restriction of protein-rich foods is prescribed.
After completing the course of treatment and adjusting the nutrition, the level of urea is normalized. During pregnancy, it is very important to pay attention to the biochemical composition of the blood. After all, any deviation from the norm can adversely affect the condition of the fetus, and then the health of the newborn.