A blood urea nitrogen BUN test measures the amount of nitrogen in your blood that comes from the waste product urea. Urea is made when protein is broken down in your body. Urea is made in the liver and passed out of your body in the urine.
A BUN test is done to see how well your kidneys are working. If your kidneys are not able to remove urea from the blood normally, your BUN level rises. Heart failure , dehydration , or a diet high in protein can also make your BUN level higher.
Liver disease or damage can lower your BUN level. A low BUN level can occur normally in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. A BUN test may be done with a blood creatinine test. The level of creatinine in your blood also tells how well your kidneys are working—a high creatinine level may mean your kidneys are not working properly. A BUN-to-creatinine ratio can help your doctor check for problems, such as dehydration, that may cause abnormal BUN and creatinine levels.
When a blood sample is taken, you may feel nothing at all from the needle. Or you might feel a quick sting or pinch. There is very little chance of having a problem from this test. When a blood sample is taken, a small bruise may form at the site. Each lab has a different range for what's normal. Your lab report should show the range that your lab uses for each test.
The normal range is just a guide. Your doctor will also look at your results based on your age, health, and other factors. Your health care provider will let you know if there are any special instructions to follow. There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.
Normal BUN levels can vary, but generally a high level of blood urea nitrogen is a sign that your kidneys are not working correctly. However, abnormal results don't always indicate that you have a medical condition needing treatment.
Higher than normal BUN levels can also be caused by dehydration, burns, certain medicines, a high protein diet, or other factors, including your age. BUN levels normally increase as you get older.
To learn what your results mean, talk to your health care provider. Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results. A BUN test is only one type of measurement of kidney function. If your health care provider suspects you have kidney disease, additional tests may be recommended.
These may include a measurement of creatinine, which is another waste product filtered by your kidneys, and a test called a GFR Glomerular Filtration Rate , which estimates how well your kidneys are filtering blood. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. What is a BUN blood urea nitrogen test?
What is it used for? BUN testing alone is not enough to diagnose any condition. It may merely highlight the need for further, more specific testing. If BUN results come back higher or lower than usual, a healthcare professional will usually follow up with other tests. A serum creatinine test combined with the BUN level can help highlight particular conditions. A doctor may also carry out testing to measure the blood levels of specific electrolytes, such as potassium, sodium, and calcium , as well as ordering urine tests.
Commonly, a serum chemistry panel is ordered, which typically measures the levels of BUN, creatinine, and electrolytes. In some instances, doctors may also follow up abnormal BUN results by evaluating the BUN-to-creatinine ratio in the bloodstream. Creatinine is a waste product that occurs after the muscles break down creatine. Creatine is a product of amino acid metabolism made after protein breakdown, and it is necessary for the body, helping to produce energy and move the muscles.
The ratio of BUN to creatinine is usually between and The course of treatment for each person with abnormal BUN levels varies depending on the cause and severity. Less serious health issues that lead to abnormal BUN levels might require less intense therapy and long-term monitoring.
People with more severe conditions, such as end-stage kidney disease, often need intensive and on-going treatment, such as dialysis. In the case of abnormal BUN levels caused by eating too much protein, people can limit the amount of protein-rich foods, such as meat, fish, beans, and dairy, and increase the amount of fruit and vegetables they consume.
Staying well-hydrated also helps prevent the buildup of BUN. According to a cross-sectional study, a person with high BUN levels is more likely to have high blood pressure. A survey of over 1 million military veterans from the U. BUN tests are easy to perform and may be a useful indicator of overall health and kidney and liver function. Urine is normally warm because it comes from inside the body, which has a core temperature of Hot urine occurs when urine is hotter than….
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In some cases…. What are BUN levels and what do they measure?
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