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Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) Test

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Kidneys, Opens dialog

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Test Overview

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 liverliver and passed out of your body in the urine.

A BUN test is done to see how well your kidneyskidneys are working. If your kidneys are not able to remove urea from the blood normally, your BUN level rises. Heart failureHeart failure, dehydrationdehydration, 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 trimestertrimester of pregnancy.

Blood urea nitrogen to creatinine ratio (BUN:creatinine)

A BUN test may be done with a blood creatininecreatinine 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. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine tests can be used together to find the BUN-to-creatinine ratio (BUN:creatinine). A BUN-to-creatinine ratio can help your doctor check for problems, such as dehydration, that may cause abnormal BUN and creatinine levels.

Why It Is Done

A BUN test is done to:

See if your kidneys are working normally.
See if your kidney disease is getting worse.
See if treatment of your kidney disease is working.
Check for severe dehydration. Dehydration generally causes BUN levels to rise more than creatinine levels. This causes a high BUN-to-creatinine ratio. Kidney disease or blockage of the flow of urine from your kidney causes both BUN and creatinine levels to go up.

How To Prepare

How It Is Done

How It Feels

Risks

Results

Normal

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. A value that isn't in the normal range may still be normal for you.

High values

A high BUN value can mean kidney injury or disease is present. Kidney damage can be caused by diabetesdiabetes or high blood pressurehigh blood pressure that directly affects the kidneys. High BUN levels can also be caused by low blood flow to the kidneys caused by dehydrationdehydration or heart failureheart failure.
Many medicines may cause a high BUN. Be sure to tell your doctor about all the nonprescription and prescription medicines you take.
A high BUN value may be caused by a high-protein diet, Addison's diseaseAddison's disease, or tissue damage (such as from severe burns), or from bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.
High BUN-to-creatinine ratios occur with sudden (acute) kidney problems, which may be caused by shockshock or severe dehydration. A very high BUN-to-creatinine ratio may be caused by bleeding in the digestive tractdigestive tract or respiratory tractrespiratory tract.

Low values

A low BUN value may be caused by a diet very low in protein, by malnutrition, or by severe liver damage.
Drinking too much liquid may cause overhydration and cause a low BUN value.
Women and children may have lower BUN levels than men because of how their bodies break down protein.
A low BUN-to-creatinine ratio may be caused by a diet low in protein, a severe muscle injury called rhabdomyolysisrhabdomyolysis, pregnancy, cirrhosiscirrhosis, or syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH).

Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC StaffIgnite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review BoardClinical Review Board
All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of UseTerms of Use. Learn how we develop our contenthow we develop our content.

To learn more about Ignite Healthwise, LLC, visit webmdignite.comwebmdignite.com.

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