How soon will the test arrive?

If you order your test before midday on a Monday to Friday then your kit will be dispatched the same day. All our kits are sent out via Royal Mail first class post, so it should be with you within 1-2 working days.

When will I get my results?

We aim to deliver your results within 2 working days of your blood sample arriving at our lab.

How do I view my results?

When you buy your test, we will ask you to create an account with us during checkout. This will give you access to your own, secure health dashboard where you can view your results.

How secure is my data?

We have strict processes in place to ensure the protection of your data. Following GDPR the company also operates under tight legal rules about the sharing of data which ensures that data is only shared if it is crucial to the delivery of our service. For example, our doctors see customer results at the time of review, however, after review, access to results is withdrawn.

How do I find out my results are ready?

We keep you updated throughout the process by email and text message. We will let you know when your blood sample has arrived at our lab. Once the blood sample has been analysed one of our doctors will review your results. Once your results are ready, we will email you and send you a text message to let you know your results are ready for you to view in your health dashboard.

Does a doctor review my results?

We have a team of doctors and nurses who look at all results and will comment on any results that are outside of the normal range for your age.

What is Urea & Why Is it Important for Athletes?

1 min read

Published on

May 22, 2025

Written by

EDGE

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What Is Urea?

Urea is a waste product formed from the breakdown of protein. It’s filtered by the kidneys and is a useful indicator of hydration, training load, and protein metabolism in athletes.

High levels can signal dehydration or muscle breakdown. Low levels may suggest under-fuelling or poor protein intake.

"Urea is a byproduct of protein metabolism and a helpful marker of training stress and hydration. Elevated levels may indicate muscle breakdown or dehydration, particularly in endurance athletes. I recommend testing urea monthly during high-volume phases and pairing it with creatinine and creatine kinase to monitor overall metabolic strain and recovery status"

Dr Thom Phillips

What are normal urea levels for athletes?

We looked at blood test data from EDGE customers and found the median urea levels for women are 5.6 mmol/L and 6.6 mmol/L for men.

Here is a breakdown of urea levels by age:

Table 1: Urea Levels in Men and Women by Age Group (mmol/L)
Age Group	Female	Male
18-29	5.6	6.4
30-39	5.6	6.3
40-49	5.4	6.6
50-59	6	6.7
60+	6.2	6.8

Source: EDGE customer blood test results Apr 2023 – March 2025.

The labs we used to analyse blood samples state a healthy range for urea is generally between 2.5-7.8 mmol/L.

Median Urea levels for male and female athletes in the UK, 2025.

Why Urea is Important for Athletes

Recovery Monitoring

Elevated urea can suggest incomplete recovery, especially when combined with high creatinine or CK.
Hydration Status

Urea levels rise with dehydration, valuable for athletes training in heat or for long durations.
Protein Utilisation

Helps assess whether protein intake matches training demands.

Why Test Urea?

Urea is an indicator of protein metabolism and training stress, offering valuable insight into how well your body is coping with physical load. It’s especially useful to test: