Pathology results in My Health Record, explained
EUC blood test: electrolytes, urea, creatinine, eGFR
An EUC is a routine group of blood tests that checks how well your kidneys are working and the balance of salts and fluid in your blood. GPs often order it in a general check-up, to monitor a kidney condition, or before starting some medicines.
Also printed as: U&E, U+E, Kidney function tests, Renal function tests.
What is on the report
Typical adult ranges. Each lab sets its own, so the range printed next to your result is the one that counts.
| Test | What it is | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium | A mineral salt (electrolyte) that keeps the body's water in balance. | 135–145 mmol/L |
| Potassium | A mineral salt (electrolyte) that keeps your heartbeat and muscles steady. | 3.6–5.2 mmol/L |
| Chloride | A mineral salt (electrolyte) that works with sodium to balance fluids. | 98–107 mmol/L |
| CO2 | Mostly bicarbonate, which keeps your blood from becoming too acidic. | 22–29 mmol/L |
| Urea | The protein waste that US reports print as BUN. | 15–47 mg/dL |
| Creatinine | A waste product from muscles that the kidneys clear. | 52–92 µmol/L (women) 65–119 µmol/L (men) |
| eGFR | An estimate of how much blood your kidneys filter each minute. | over 60 mL/min/1.73m² |
Good to know in Australia
- What is in the panel varies between labs. In one state public lab, the EUC covers sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, urea and creatinine, and chloride is requested separately.
- Sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate and urea are reported in mmol/L. Creatinine is reported in µmol/L.
- All Australian labs use the same formula, called CKD-EPI, to work out eGFR from your creatinine, age and sex. eGFR is reported in mL/min/1.73m².
- eGFR is not suitable for children, during pregnancy, or for people on dialysis.
- healthdirect advises avoiding cooked meat for 4 to 6 hours before the test if your eGFR is being measured, as it can raise creatinine.
Call 000 in an emergency. For health advice at any hour, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 (NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). For questions about what your results mean for you, talk to your GP.
Keep your reports in one place
Take a photo or screenshot of your pathology report, or upload the PDF, and Vita explains each number in plain words, suggests what to ask your GP, and keeps it with your past results. Vita does not connect to My Health Record or any Australian health record system. Hospital connections work with US hospitals, not Australian ones.
Vita Health Coach on the App StoreAsk it in ChatGPT
Vita Health Coach also answers in ChatGPT. One tap opens ChatGPT with this question ready to send:
“What should I ask the doctor about my Electrolytes, urea and creatinine (EUC) result?”
Questions
What does eGFR tell me?
It is an estimate of how much blood your kidneys filter each minute, worked out from your creatinine result. A higher eGFR means the kidneys are filtering better. eGFR also falls slowly with age.
Why would urea or creatinine be high?
Higher levels can point to the kidneys not filtering as well, but dehydration, muscle mass and protein in your diet can also play a part. Your GP will look at the whole picture.
Will one abnormal eGFR mean kidney disease?
Not on its own. A diagnosis of chronic kidney disease needs results that stay low on repeat tests over about three months, or other signs of kidney damage.
More for Australia
Sources
General information, not medical advice. VitaMedas is not connected with any government health service. Vita Health Coach explains; it never diagnoses. In an emergency, call 000. Read the medical disclaimer.