Blood Urea Nitrogen
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) is a simple blood test that measures the amount of urea nitrogen in your blood. It’s mainly used to check how well your kidneys are working.
What is Urea Nitrogen?
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Urea is a waste product formed in the liver when your body breaks down protein.
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It enters the bloodstream and is normally filtered out by the kidneys and removed in urine.
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If your kidneys aren't working properly, BUN levels rise in your blood.
What Does a BUN Test Measure?
It tells you how much urea nitrogen is in your blood — a high or low level can point to problems with:
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Kidney function
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Liver function
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Hydration status
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Protein metabolism
Normal BUN Range:
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Typically: 7 to 20 mg/dL
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May vary slightly by lab or age
High BUN Levels May Indicate:
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Kidney disease or failure
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Dehydration
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High protein diet
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Heart failure
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Urinary tract obstruction
Low BUN Levels May Indicate:
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Liver disease
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Malnutrition
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Overhydration
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Low protein intake
How Is the Test Done?
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Simple blood draw from a vein
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Often done along with creatinine to calculate the BUN-to-creatinine ratio
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No fasting usually required
About The Package
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) is a simple blood test that measures the amount of urea nitrogen in your blood. It’s mainly used to check how well your kidneys are working.
What is Urea Nitrogen?
-
Urea is a waste product formed in the liver when your body breaks down protein.
-
It enters the bloodstream and is normally filtered out by the kidneys and removed in urine.
-
If your kidneys aren't working properly, BUN levels rise in your blood.
What Does a BUN Test Measure?
It tells you how much urea nitrogen is in your blood — a high or low level can point to problems with:
-
Kidney function
-
Liver function
-
Hydration status
-
Protein metabolism
Normal BUN Range:
-
Typically: 7 to 20 mg/dL
-
May vary slightly by lab or age
High BUN Levels May Indicate:
-
Kidney disease or failure
-
Dehydration
-
High protein diet
-
Heart failure
-
Urinary tract obstruction
Low BUN Levels May Indicate:
-
Liver disease
-
Malnutrition
-
Overhydration
-
Low protein intake
How Is the Test Done?
-
Simple blood draw from a vein
-
Often done along with creatinine to calculate the BUN-to-creatinine ratio
-
No fasting usually required
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
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Blood Sample Collection
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A small sample of blood drawn from a vein (usually your arm)
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BUN Measurement
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Lab test to measure the urea nitrogen level in the blood
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Results are usually given in mg/dL
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Standard Lab Report
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Includes:
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Your BUN value
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Reference (normal) range
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Possible comments if values are abnormal
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Optional BUN/Creatinine Ratio (If Creatinine is also tested)
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Gives more detailed info about kidney function
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Helps differentiate between kidney and non-kidney causes of abnormal BUN
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If BUN is Part of a Kidney or Health Panel, It May Also Include:
| Test/Item | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Serum Creatinine | Another kidney marker |
| eGFR (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate) | Checks kidney filtering ability |
| Uric Acid | Assesses risk of gout/kidney stones |
| Electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium) | Checks fluid balance |
| Doctor review or explanation | Sometimes included in full panels |
Exclusions
1. Other Kidney Function Markers
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Creatinine
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eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate)
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These are not included unless you do a full kidney function panel
2. Electrolyte Levels
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No testing for:
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Sodium
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Potassium
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Chloride
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Calcium
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These are essential for evaluating fluid and electrolyte balance
3. Liver Function
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No ALT, AST, bilirubin, or albumin levels (important if liver disease is suspected)
4. Urine Tests
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Does not include urinalysis or urine protein tests that help assess kidney function more fully
5. Diagnosis or Cause Identification
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The test does not tell you why your BUN is high or low (e.g., dehydration, bleeding, kidney disease)
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You’ll need additional tests and a doctor’s evaluation
6. Medical Consultation
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A basic BUN test does not include:
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Doctor’s consultation
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Treatment recommendations
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Prescription or follow-up
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7. Comprehensive Health Screening
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No data on:
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Blood sugar
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Lipid profile (cholesterol)
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Blood counts (CBC)
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About The Treatment
A Health Check-Up is a preventive medical examination designed to assess your overall health status and detect early signs of diseases or risk factors. These check-ups typically include a series of physical examinations, laboratory tests, and diagnostic screenings tailored to age, gender, medical history, and lifestyle.
Routine health check-ups are essential for early detection of conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and cancer. They help doctors monitor critical indicators like blood pressure, cholesterol levels, organ function, and more. Depending on the package or provider, a health check-up can range from basic blood tests to advanced imaging like CT scans or full-body MRIs.