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BUN stands for blood urea nitrogen. Urea nitrogen is what forms when protein breaks down.
A test can be done to measure the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood.
Alternative NamesBlood urea nitrogen
How the test is performedA blood sample is needed. For information on how this is done, see: Venipuncture
How to prepare for the testMany drugs affect BUN levels. Before having this test, make sure the health care provider knows which medications you are taking.
Drugs that can increase BUN measurements include:
- Allopurinol
- Aminoglycoside antibiotics
- Amphotericin B
- Aspirin (high doses)
- Bacitracin
- Carbamazepine
- Cephalosporins
- Chloral hydrate
- Cisplatin
- Colistin
- Furosemide
- Guanethidine
- Indomethacin
- Methicillin
- Methotrexate
- Methyldopa
- Neomycin
- Penicillamine
- Polymyxin B
- Probenecid
- Propranolol
- Rifampin
- Spironolactone
- Tetracyclines
- Thiazide diuretics
- Triamterene
- Vancomycin
Drugs that can decrease BUN measurements include:
- Chloramphenicol
- Streptomycin
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Why the test is performedThe BUN test is often done to check kidney function.
Normal ValuesThe normal result is generally 6 - 20 mg/dL.
Note: Normal values may vary among different labs. Talk to your doctor about your specific test results.
The examples above show the common measurements for results for these tests. Some laboratories use different measurements or may test different specimens.
What abnormal results meanHigher-than-normal levels may be due to:
- Congestive heart failure
- Excessive protein levels in the gastrointestinal tract
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Hypovolemia
- Heart attack
- Kidney disease, including glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis, and acute tubular necrosis
- Kidney failure
- Shock
- Urinary tract obstruction
Lower-than-normal levels may be due to:
- Liver failure
- Low protein diet
- Malnutrition
- Over-hydration
Additional conditions under which the test may be done include:
- Acute nephritic syndrome
- Alport syndrome
- Atheroembolic kidney disease
- Dementia due to metabolic causes
- Diabetes
- Digitalis toxicity
- Epilepsy
- Generalized tonic-clonic seizure
- Goodpasture syndrome
- Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS)
- Hepatorenal syndrome
- Interstitial nephritis
- Lupus nephritis
- Malignant hypertension (arteriolar nephrosclerosis)
- Medullary cystic kidney disease
- Membranoproliferative GN I
- Membranoproliferative GN II
- Prerenal azotemia
- Primary amyloidosis
- Secondary systemic amyloidosis
- Wilms' tumor
Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks are slight but may include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Fainting or feeling light-headed
- Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
- Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
For people with liver disease, the BUN level may be low even if the kidneys are normal.
ReferencesClarkson MR, Friedewald JJ, Eustace JA, Rabb H. Acute kidney injury. In: Brenner BM, eds. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 29.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 05/30/2011
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
BUN stands for blood urea nitrogen, which is a blood test that measures the levels of urea in the blood. High BUN levels may indicate kidney dysfunction or dehydration, while low levels may suggest liver disease or malnutrition. It is often used to assess kidney function and hydration status.
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What is bun in blood testing?
"BUN" stands for Blood Urea Nitrogen, which is a common blood test used to measure how much urea nitrogen is in the blood. High levels of BUN may indicate kidney dysfunction, dehydration, or other medical conditions. Low BUN levels can occur in liver disease, malnutrition, or overhydration.
What does a blood urea nitrogen test do?
A blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test measures the amount of nitrogen in the blood that comes from urea, a waste product of protein metabolism. The test can help evaluate kidney function and detect possible kidney disease or dysfunction. It is often ordered as part of a routine metabolic panel or to monitor certain health conditions.
What is BUN in blood work?
BUN stands for blood urea nitrogen, and it is a common test to measure kidney function and hydration status. Elevated BUN levels can indicate kidney dysfunction or dehydration, while low levels may be a sign of liver disease or malnutrition. It is usually interpreted in conjunction with other tests to provide a more complete picture of the patient's health.
What is the normal range of micro-albumin urea?
The normal range for microalbumin in urine is less than 30 mg/day. Elevated levels may indicate kidney damage or dysfunction. It is important to consult with a healthcare provider for proper evaluation and interpretation of test results.
The test that determines the compatibility of donor and recipient blood is called?
The test that determines the compatibility of donor and recipient blood is called a blood typing test. This test identifies the specific blood type of an individual, focusing on the ABO blood group system and the Rh factor.
What does BUN on a blood test mesn?
This is the kidney function test called BUN (blood urea nitrogen). This test is critical in diagnosing kidney problems in patients.
What is the bun test used to measure?
The BUN test measures the amount of nitrogen in your blood that comes from the waste product urea. A BUN (blood urea nitrogen) test is done to see how well your kidneys are working.
What is BUN?
The BUN test stands for blood urea nitrogen test. It is used to measure the urea and nitrogen levels in your blood in order to detect issues with the kidneys or liver.
What does BUN stand for in a Chemistry test?
BUN stands for Blood Urea Nitrogen. It is a test that measures the amount of nitrogen in your blood that comes from the waste product urea. This test is often used to evaluate kidney function.
What happens in a BUN test?
The BUN test is performed on a sample of the patient's blood, withdrawn from a vein into a vacuum tube. The procedure, which is called a venipuncture, takes about five minutes.
What is the bun urinalysis test?
A bun urinalysis test measures the levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in the urine. It helps in assessing kidney function and evaluating conditions like dehydration, kidney disease, or certain metabolic disorders. Elevated BUN levels may indicate kidney dysfunction or other health issues.
How are kidney levels measured?
Blood urea nitrogen test (BUN). Urea is a by-product of protein metabolism. This waste product is formed in the liver, then filtered from the blood and excreted in the urine by the kidneys. The BUN test measures the amount of nitrogen.
What color test tube is BUN?
The test tube for BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) is typically light green or gray.
What would cause an elevated bun blood test?
An elevated BUN could be a sign of decreased kidney function. It could also be a sign of dehydration.
What is bun in blood testing?
"BUN" stands for Blood Urea Nitrogen, which is a common blood test used to measure how much urea nitrogen is in the blood. High levels of BUN may indicate kidney dysfunction, dehydration, or other medical conditions. Low BUN levels can occur in liver disease, malnutrition, or overhydration.
Do you need to fast for BUN and Creatinine lab test?
It is generally recommended that you fast for about 8 hours before having a blood test for BUN and creatinine to ensure accurate results. However, you should follow your healthcare provider's specific instructions for fasting requirements before the test.
What does a blood urea nitrogen test do?
A blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test measures the amount of nitrogen in the blood that comes from urea, a waste product of protein metabolism. The test can help evaluate kidney function and detect possible kidney disease or dysfunction. It is often ordered as part of a routine metabolic panel or to monitor certain health conditions.
