As part of our effort to decode the BMP (Basic Metabolic Profile), we'll take a closer look at the seventh test -- Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN).
The kidneys help keep the right balance of water, salts, and minerals in the blood. Kidneys also filter out waste and other unneeded substances from the blood.
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. 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.
A blood urea nitrogen (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.
- See if severe dehydration is present. 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.
- a little lupie -
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