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What Do My Lab Test Results Indicate?
Question: I just received my results from lab work. The Urea nitrogen/Creatinine results were flagged as "high" at 20.9.
Cause for concern?
Cause for concern?
Brief Answer:
Unlikely that this is a cause for concern:
Detailed Answer:
Hello Gigi,
I am assuming that the lab value here was the BUN to Creatinine ratio from blood (not urine). This is a calculated number, and the reference range for it is usually around 6-22. It's possible the lab that did your blood work has a lower number for it's range, and therefore it was flagged. But a ratio of 20.9 is not usually concerning without other concerning history or a gradually climbing number to give it some context.
The upper number of the ratio, the blood urea nitrogen, can often go up quite high when we are dehydrated. Since the BUN is the upper number in the ratio, a higher BUN can increase the ratio.
Was this a routine lab draw for preventive health reasons, or was it drawn because of a health problem?
Unlikely that this is a cause for concern:
Detailed Answer:
Hello Gigi,
I am assuming that the lab value here was the BUN to Creatinine ratio from blood (not urine). This is a calculated number, and the reference range for it is usually around 6-22. It's possible the lab that did your blood work has a lower number for it's range, and therefore it was flagged. But a ratio of 20.9 is not usually concerning without other concerning history or a gradually climbing number to give it some context.
The upper number of the ratio, the blood urea nitrogen, can often go up quite high when we are dehydrated. Since the BUN is the upper number in the ratio, a higher BUN can increase the ratio.
Was this a routine lab draw for preventive health reasons, or was it drawn because of a health problem?
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
This lab work was required for a cosmetic procedure (breast augmentation.) :)
Brief Answer:
Info:
Detailed Answer:
If the creatinine was ok and if you maybe hadn't drunk enough water the day the blood work was drawn, then it is probably nothing to be concerned about. Talk with your doctor, though, who can compare your lab results with previous ones.
Info:
Detailed Answer:
If the creatinine was ok and if you maybe hadn't drunk enough water the day the blood work was drawn, then it is probably nothing to be concerned about. Talk with your doctor, though, who can compare your lab results with previous ones.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you very much for your detailed and informative responses. I am grateful for this website.
Be well.
Be well.
Brief Answer:
Your welcome!
Detailed Answer:
If in the future you would like to ask another question and have it come specifically to me, you can put my name at the beginning of your question and it will be routed to me.
Best regards,
Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, MD
Your welcome!
Detailed Answer:
If in the future you would like to ask another question and have it come specifically to me, you can put my name at the beginning of your question and it will be routed to me.
Best regards,
Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, MD
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems and comprehensive renal care, talk to a Nephrologist. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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