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What Is Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) Test For?
Question: What is the meaning of a BUN CREAT number of 28 which has risen from 23 four months ago? Is this something to monitor - female - age 77 otherwise in excellent health.
Brief Answer:
Kidney and liver functions assessment, Age related
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking!
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) testing is for assessment of renal and liver functions and is commonly part of the basic metabolic panel (BMP) or comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), which is commonly obtained as part of a routine medical examination. It is also obtained in patients in emergency or urgent care settings, as it can provide valuable information that may provide clues to various clinical presentations that may be caused by chemical imbalances in the body that require prompt and immediate attention.
Urea production occurs primarily in the liver (urea cycle, also referred to as the ornithine cycle) and is regulated by N-acetylglutamate. Urea is found dissolved in blood and is excreted by the renal tubules. In addition, a small amount of urea is also excreted in sweat. Therefore, the BUN level may reflect functioning of the liver and/or kidneys.
The reference range of the BUN level is 3-20 mg/dL. Individual laboratories may have different reference ranges, since the procedure may vary.
diet fairly high in protein and in conditions characterized by enhanced tissue breakdown (eg, hemorrhage, trauma, glucocorticoid therapy). Certain antibiotics, such as tetracyclines, may interfere with protein synthesis and tend to be catabolic, all increasing BUN levels and need to be considered clinically while assessing the renal functions.Also there is a long list of medicines which can derange the BUN levels and should be sorted out.
In nut shell, it should be in the reference range of 3-20. Above that would be considered worth consult to a nephrologist to sort out the innocuous causes from serious ones. Providing the excellent health and age limits of geriatrics age groups, i would say the odds are pretty good of no issue for this mild derangement but it should be consulted with a nephrologist for safety.But it is age related most likely.
I hope it helps. Don't forget to close the discussion please.
Regards
S Khan
Kidney and liver functions assessment, Age related
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking!
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) testing is for assessment of renal and liver functions and is commonly part of the basic metabolic panel (BMP) or comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), which is commonly obtained as part of a routine medical examination. It is also obtained in patients in emergency or urgent care settings, as it can provide valuable information that may provide clues to various clinical presentations that may be caused by chemical imbalances in the body that require prompt and immediate attention.
Urea production occurs primarily in the liver (urea cycle, also referred to as the ornithine cycle) and is regulated by N-acetylglutamate. Urea is found dissolved in blood and is excreted by the renal tubules. In addition, a small amount of urea is also excreted in sweat. Therefore, the BUN level may reflect functioning of the liver and/or kidneys.
The reference range of the BUN level is 3-20 mg/dL. Individual laboratories may have different reference ranges, since the procedure may vary.
diet fairly high in protein and in conditions characterized by enhanced tissue breakdown (eg, hemorrhage, trauma, glucocorticoid therapy). Certain antibiotics, such as tetracyclines, may interfere with protein synthesis and tend to be catabolic, all increasing BUN levels and need to be considered clinically while assessing the renal functions.Also there is a long list of medicines which can derange the BUN levels and should be sorted out.
In nut shell, it should be in the reference range of 3-20. Above that would be considered worth consult to a nephrologist to sort out the innocuous causes from serious ones. Providing the excellent health and age limits of geriatrics age groups, i would say the odds are pretty good of no issue for this mild derangement but it should be consulted with a nephrologist for safety.But it is age related most likely.
I hope it helps. Don't forget to close the discussion please.
Regards
S Khan
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
Answered by
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