How is BUN related to Kidney Disease?

October 8, 2024

Leon Robinson

What is Blood Urea Nitrogen?

The Blood Urea Nitrogen Test (BUN) test is a simple but crucial blood test for diagnosing and monitoring renal or kidney health. The test measures the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood. BUN can tell your doctor a lot about your overall health, especially concerning how well your kidneys are working.

Urea nitrogen is a waste product that is created in the liver when the body breaks down proteins. A small amount of urea nitrogen in the blood is normal. It forms in the liver and travels through the blood to the kidneys. Normally, the kidneys filter out this waste, which is removed from the body through urination. However, when the levels are higher than normal, it could indicate a condition affecting your kidney health.

Why are BUN tests ordered?

If you already have symptoms of kidney disease, such as urinary changes, swelling in your arms or legs, muscle cramps, or frequent episodes of fatigue, your doctor may order a BUN test to assess your kidney health. Screening may also be advised if you have a higher risk of kidney disease because of diabetes, cardiovascular problems, or a family history of kidney disease.

Additional reasons for ordering the BUN test include:

Monitoring chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure which can affect kidney function.
Monitoring those receiving kidney dialysis, a BUN test can determine the effectiveness of the treatment in removing waste products from the blood.
As part of a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) to check for other health issues, such as liver damage or gastrointestinal bleeding.

What causes high BUN?

High levels of BUN in your blood can result from:

Dehydration can cause BUN levels to rise more than creatinine (a waste product from muscle tissue breakdown) levels, leading to a high BUN-to-creatinine ratio, so it can also be an indicator of severe dehydration.
High Protein Diets can increase the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood.
Reduced blood flow from Heart Failure can affect the kidney’s ability to filter blood.
Gastrointestinal bleeding can lead to increased protein in the gut, which is then broken down into nitrogen.
Some drugs or medications, like steroids or antibiotics, can affect kidney function and BUN levels.

What causes low BUN?

Low levels of BUN can result from:

Low Protein Diets
Small body type
Overhydration (Too much water in the body)
Liver disease

How do I interpret my BUN test results?

Results of the BUN test are measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) in the United States.

A normal BUN level depends on your age and other health conditions that may be present. In general, around 6 to 24 mg/ level dL is considered normal.

Healthcare providers don’t use BUN to define kidney failure. However, if your BUN numbers are higher than your baseline, and if your creatinine is also high, then kidney failure is likely. Decreased urea levels are less frequent and occur primarily in advanced liver disease and overhydration.

If you previously had an abnormal BUN test or have a known kidney problem, repeat testing at regular intervals may be appropriate to monitor your situation and current kidney function.

How can I lower my BUN levels?

To lower your Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) levels, you can consider the following lifestyle and dietary changes:

Staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water throughout the day will help your kidneys flush out toxins.
A diet lower in protein can help reduce BUN levels.
Regular exercise.
Increasing your fiber intake can help manage BUN levels by aiding digestion and reducing the absorption of urea in the gut.
Consult with your healthcare provider about any drugs you are taking that might affect your kidney function.
Keeping conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure under control helps maintain healthy kidney function.
Reducing stress.

Remember, it is important to consult with your healthcare provider before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle, especially if you have underlying health conditions. They can provide personalized advice based on your specific health needs.

How can I test my BUN near me?

Request A Test makes it easy to order your own lab testing. We offer the BUN test as a standalone blood test. It is also included in several more comprehensive screens such as a Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP), Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP), and Renal Function Panel. In addition to BUN, our test menu includes hundreds of other affordable options for kidney health and other categories.

Why choose Request A Test?