Blood Urea
Understanding Blood Urea
What is Blood Urea?
This test measures the levels of urea present in the blood. Urea is a waste product produced by the conversion of protein into amino acids.
The urea tests are performed to diagnose kidney disease and to monitor the efficacy of the ongoing treatment. Urea and creatinine levels, together with electrolytes are used to evaluate kidney function and to monitor patients with kidney failure or those receiving dialysis. Healthy kidneys eliminate more than 90 percent of the urea from the body.
The normal level of urea ranges from 7 – 20 mg/dL, any value above or below signifies a problem in the kidneys. High urea levels suggest impaired kidney function. The low levels are not common but they can be seen in severe liver disease and malnutrition.
What is Blood Urea used for?
The BUN Test is performed:
· As a part of Metabolic Panel Tests for regular health checkups
· To estimate the health of the kidneys
· To diagnose kidney diseases
· To monitor the efficacy of treatments being used for kidney diseases like dialysis
What does Blood Urea measure?
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.
Interpreting Blood Urea results
Interpretations
Normal range (Approx.):
AGE | REFERENCE RANGE (mg/dL) |
0-1 week | 3-25 |
1 week to 1 year | 4-19 |
1-12 years | 5-18 |
12-60 years | 6-20 |
60-90 years | 8-23 |
>90 years | 10-31 |
Reference range may vary from lab to lab*
Higher than normal BUN levels indicate impaired kidney function which means the kidneys are unable to effectively filter waste products out of the blood.
Lower than normal BUN levels are usually clinically insignificant. However, lower levels may be associated with large scale liver conditions in some cases.
Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Blood Urea
Frequently Asked Questions about Blood Urea
Q. What factors can reduce the levels of BUN test?
Q. Is there any preparation required before the Blood Urea Nitrogen test?
Q. What other tests can be prescribed by your doctor in case the results of Blood Urea Nitrogen Test are not normal?
Q. What factors can give rise to high BUN levels?
Q. What are the common symptoms of kidney disease that may necessitate a BUN Test?
Q. What can produce false results in the BUN Test?
Q. What is BUN to Creatinine Ratio?
Q. How is the blood sample taken?
Q. Is there any risk associated with the withdrawal of blood sample procedure?
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