This can include frequent urination, swelling in your hands or feet, unexplained fatigue, high blood pressure, diabetes, or suspected kidney disease. Doctors recommend a blood urea nitrogen test based on various symptoms or risk factors associated with abnormal kidney function. The blood urea nitrogen test is instrumental in diagnosing, monitoring, and managing a spectrum of kidney-related and systemic health conditions. The blood urea nitrogen test is often part of routine health check-ups and can aid in the early detection of kidney issues such as glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis and others. During the test, the BUN level is measured in milligrams of nitrogen per deciliter of blood.

The BUN test helps evaluate how efficiently your kidneys are filtering waste products from your body. It is produced in the liver, and transported in the bloodstream to the kidneys, where it's filtered out and eventually eliminated from your body in the form of urine. Urea nitrogen is a byproduct of protein breakdown from the food you consume.

If kidney damage is a concern, ask your doctor what factors may be contributing to the damage and what steps you can take to try to control them.The blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test is an important diagnostic method that provides insights into your kidney function and overall health.

Certain medications, such as some antibiotics.

Congestive heart failure or recent heart attack.

Dehydration, resulting from not drinking enough fluids or for other reasons.

Generally, a high BUN level means your kidneys aren't working well. Infants have lower levels than other people do, and the range in children varies. Urea nitrogen levels tend to increase with age. In general, around 6 to 24 mg/dL (2.1 to 8.5 mmol/L) is considered normal.īut normal ranges may vary, depending on the reference range used by the lab and your age. Results of the BUN test are measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) in the United States and in millimoles per liter (mmol/L) internationally. You can return to your usual activities immediately. The blood sample is sent to a lab for analysis. What you can expectĭuring the BUN test, a member of your health care team takes a sample of blood by inserting a needle into a vein in your arm. Your doctor will give you specific instructions. If your blood sample will be used for additional tests, you may need to fast for a certain amount of time before the test. If your blood sample is being tested only for BUN, you can eat and drink normally before the test. The GFR estimates the percentage of kidney function you have. To do this, you may have a blood sample taken to calculate your estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Your doctor may also test how well your kidneys are removing waste from the blood. High levels of creatinine in your blood may be a sign of kidney damage.

Creatinine is another waste product that healthy kidneys filter out of your body through urine. If kidney problems are the main concern, the creatinine levels in your blood will likely also be measured when your blood is tested for urea nitrogen levels. As part of a blood test group to help diagnose a number of other conditions, such as liver damage, urinary tract obstruction, congestive heart failure or gastrointestinal bleeding - although an abnormal BUN test result alone doesn't confirm any of these conditions.To help determine the effectiveness of dialysis treatment if you're receiving hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.If your kidney function needs to be evaluated, especially if you have a chronic condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure.If your doctor suspects that you have kidney disease or damage.

Normal bun blood range