Blood Urea

Urea is a byproduct of protein metabolism. Proteins consumed in the diet are digested and converted into amino acids, which are utilized by the body. This metabolic process creates toxic byproduct ammonia. This byproduct is rapidly converted by the liver to form urea, which is less toxic and is transported relatively safely in blood. Following this, urea is transported by the blood to the kidneys. The kidneys then filter it out of the blood and excrete it out of the body in a solution called urine. This process continues and the body keeps producing and excreting urea, hence maintaining a low and steady level of urea in the blood.

The BUN test measures the amount of urea present in the urea. The levels of BUN test in the blood are affected due to impairment of kidney function, or due to large scale liver conditions. Primarily, BUN Test results are used to evaluate kidney functioning. Results are often interpreted together with results of Creatinine Tests that measure the levels of another metabolic waste (creatinine), which is also excreted in the urine.