Blood Urea Nitrogen

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Does this check produce other names?

Urea nitrogen, BUN, serum BUN

What is that this check?

A blood urea nitrogen (BUN) check measures the quantity of urea nitrogen present in your blood. Urea nitrogen is a waste product made when your liver breaks down protein. It is carried in your blood, filtered out by your kidneys, and eliminated out of your physique in your urine. In case your liver is not wholesome, it might not break down proteins the way in which it ought to. And in case your kidneys aren’t wholesome, they might not correctly filter urea. Both of those issues can result in bigger quantities of urea nitrogen in your physique. 

BUN ranges assist your healthcare supplier see how nicely your kidneys are working. The check could also be used together with different measurements to assist diagnose a kidney dysfunction or learn the way nicely your remedy for kidney illness is working. 

Why do I want this check?

In case your healthcare supplier thinks that you’ve kidney issues, it’s possible you’ll want a BUN check to assist diagnose the situation. Signs that may imply kidney issues embody:

  • Needing to urinate roughly usually

  • Joint or bone ache

  • Muscle cramps

  • Stressed legs whilst you’re attempting to sleep

  • Fatigue

  • Itchiness

  • Swelling within the arms or legs

Many individuals with kidney issues could not have signs immediately. 

You could want a BUN check for different causes. Relying in your general well being, it might be a part of a routine well being verify to learn the way your kidneys are working. Should you want dialysis or medication for kidney operate, you’ll have the check to verify the well being of your kidneys earlier than the process, after the process, or each. BUN exams are additionally routine throughout hospital stays for sure situations. 

What different exams would possibly I’ve together with this check?

Your healthcare supplier will doubtless additionally verify the creatinine ranges in your blood. By itself, the BUN degree does little to inform your supplier for certain about your kidney (renal) operate. However when it’s measured together with creatinine ranges, your supplier can take a look at how these 2 ranges examine to assist discover out your kidney operate. If this ratio is larger or decrease than regular, you’ll have some kind of kidney drawback.

In case your healthcare supplier thinks you’ll have a kidney drawback, you might also produce other blood and urine exams. These embody glomerular filtration price (GFR). Additionally, you will have your blood stress checked.

What do my check outcomes imply?

Check outcomes could differ relying in your age, gender, well being historical past, and different issues. Your check outcomes could also be totally different relying on the lab used. They could not imply you’ve gotten an issue. Ask your healthcare supplier what your check outcomes imply for you.

The conventional BUN degree is between about 7 and 20 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Until this degree is larger than 60 mg/dL, it might not assist your healthcare supplier measure your kidney well being.

A greater measure is the ratio of BUN to creatinine present in your blood. Sometimes, the ratio of BUN to creatinine ought to be between 10:1 and 20:1. If it is decrease or larger than that, it might imply you’ve gotten an issue along with your kidneys otherwise you is probably not consuming sufficient water. 

How is that this check finished?

The check is completed with a blood pattern. A needle is used to attract blood from a vein in your arm or hand.

Does this check pose any dangers?

Having a blood check with a needle carries some dangers. These embody bleeding, an infection, bruising, and feeling lightheaded. When the needle pricks your arm or hand, it’s possible you’ll really feel a slight sting or ache. Afterward, the positioning could also be sore. 

What would possibly have an effect on my check outcomes?

Your BUN ranges would possibly rise even when your kidneys are working as they need to for a lot of causes. These embody:

  • A high-protein food regimen

  • Steroid use

  • Dehydration

  • Burn accidents

  • Growing older

That is why the ratio of BUN ranges to creatinine ranges is a extra dependable measure of kidney well being.

How do I prepare for this check?

You need not put together for this check. Make sure your healthcare supplier is aware of about all medicines, herbs, nutritional vitamins, and dietary supplements you take. This consists of medicines that don’t want a prescription and any unlawful medicine it’s possible you’ll use.