What Do You Mean By BUN?
Blood Urea Nitrogen, commonly known as BUN, is one of the measures to discover more about the functioning of your kidneys. Also known by other names such as Urea Nitrogen Test, Serum BUN, and Urea BUN, this test helps identify the Urea Nitrogen present in the body during the breakdown of proteins. Later on, it is discarded from your body through urine.
An increase in BUN levels can be caused due to a failure or decline in kidney function. Since the BUN values are independent of kidney function, one goes for more specific indicators of the functioning of kidneys. Such indicators include Creatinine Clearance and Glomerular Filtration Rate GFR.
Your BUN rate will automatically increase if you consume a diet rich in Proteins. But if you consume a low protein diet or are suffering from any liver diseases, your BUN rate will diminish. If you are suffering from Hemorrhage, Glucocorticoid therapy, and certain injuries, there will be an increase in your BUN value.
What Is Meant By A Bun Test?
A BUN test measures the amount of Urea Nitrogen present in your blood. It is a waste product in your blood. Urea Nitrogen is filtered by your kidneys and passed out from your body through urine. Unhealthy kidney function can cause the Urea Nitrogen to fail to break down the Proteins as the way it was meant to do. Due to kidney function failure, your kidneys will also not be able to filter out the Urea. Due to either one of these two reasons, many issues can arise due to fluctuations of Urea Nitrogen level in your body.
A BUN test is conducted to make sure that your kidneys are functioning at optimal levels. This test will also help determine whether there is any risk of kidney disorder. If you are prone to any kidney diseases, a BUN test will help identify whether your treatment for the same is up to the mark or not. These are reasons which denote just how important a BUN test is for your kidney function.
What Level Of BUN Indicates Kidney Failure?
The adequate range of Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) is between 7 to 20 mg/dl or even 2.5 and 7.1 mmol/L. If your kidney function declines, it will be shown as an increase in levels of BUN. But even if that is the case, it does not indicate the patient has kidney failure.
To find out the BUN-to-Creatinine ratio, one can make use of both the Urea BUN as well as Creatinine tests. It will grant you more specific and to-the-point results than conducting a BUN test alone.
Why Is A BUN Test Conducted?
If you are prone to risks of kidney failure or other diseases relating to it, your doctor will advise you to take a BUN test. Some of the risk factors which can cause issues with your kidney in the future are:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Hereditary kidney issues
- Kidney diseases you may be suffering from
- Persistent and long-term medications
If you develop symptoms that have clear indications of kidney diseases, it is best to go for a Urea BUN test just to be safe. Some of those symptoms which might point toward kidney diseases include:
- Reduced appetite
- High fluctuations in the frequency of urinating, whether an excess increase or decrease.
- Itchy, dry skin
- Muscle pain
- Excessive fatigue
- Swelling of the feet
- Weird and abnormal urine appearance
What Happens During A BUN Test?
This test conducted is simple and quick and does not require more than five minutes. There is no strict rule you have to adhere to prepare for this test. The clinician gathers a sample of blood from the vein of your arm. The withdrawn blood is then collected in a test vial. The results of this test will arrive within 1 or 2 days.
The Bottom Line
A Urea BUN test once in a while is necessary to make sure that your kidneys are working properly and no risks are threatening them. Also, if you are suffering from kidney disease, it is a way of making sure that your treatment is going well.
