A blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test measures the amount of urea nitrogen in your blood. Levels of urea nitrogen is one marker on how well your kidneys are working. This is a simple test done by drawing blood out of your body through a vein in your arm.
What does a low BUN level mean?
Low values A low BUN value may be caused by a diet very low in protein, by malnutrition, or by severe liver damage. Drinking too much liquid may cause overhydration and cause a low BUN value.
Is a BUN level of 6 okay?
In general, normal BUN levels fall in the following ranges: adult men: 8 to 24 mg/dL. adult women: 6 to 21 mg/dL. children 1 to 17 years old: 7 to 20 mg/dL.
What is a critical BUN level?
A BUN of 50 to 100 mg/100mL suggest serious renal impairment, and a BUN of 150 to 250 mg/100 mL is virtually diagnostic of severe glomerular dysfunction. In a steady state, a 50% decrease in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) will result in a doubling of the BUN.
What are normal GFR values?
A GFR of 60 or higher is in the normal range. A GFR below 60 may mean kidney disease. A GFR of 15 or lower may mean kidney failure.
Is a BUN level of 7 Bad?
The normal BUN level is between about 7 and 21 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Unless this level is greater than 60 mg/dL, it may not help your healthcare provider measure your kidney health. A better measure is the ratio of BUN to creatinine found in your blood.
What would cause an elevated BUN blood test?
Dehydration refers to inadequate water and electrolyte balance in your cells, which can cause high BUN levels. Consult your physician for exact amounts based on your health status. In some cases, high BUN levels occur from excess stress or acute high blood pressure.
What is the normal range for a bun blood test?
Your result will be a number that measures how much BUN is in your blood. The range considered normal is between 7 to 20 milligrams per deciliter. (A milligram is a very tiny amount — more than 28,000 to an ounce, and a deciliter is equal to about 3.4 ounces). If your test results are not in that range, talk to your doctor.
What does a low bun on a blood test mean?
If the BUN levels are not normal, they indicate a flaw in the body’s flushing system. High level of BUN is a sign of kidney dysfunction, while low BUN levels can indicate liver problems. Sometimes the BUN test is also done along with a blood creatinine test. Creatinine is also a waste product that is filtered by the kidneys.
What causes low BUN levels in blood?
Pancreatic insufficiency can cause decreased levels of BUN in your body. Dr. Dicken Weatherby, a naturopathic physician and author of the textbook “Blood Chemistry and CBC Analysis” states that decreased BUN is associated with pancreatic insufficiency.
