Blood Urea Nitrogen

BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen), BUN:Creatinine Ratio, Urea Nitrogen, Blood

What To Think About

  • A BUN test may be done with a blood creatinine test. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine tests can be used together to find the BUN-to-creatinine ratio (BUN:creatinine). For more information, see the medical test Creatinine and Creatinine Clearance.
  • BUN levels may be measured regularly in people who have kidney dialysis. BUN levels are used to see how well dialysis is working.
  • A glomerular filtration rate may be done for people with chronic kidney disease to regularly check how well the kidneys are working.

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Author: Monica Rhodes Last Updated: August 12, 2008
Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Tushar J. Vachharajani, MD, FASN, FACP - Nephrology

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Topic Contents
 Test Overview
 Why It Is Done
 How To Prepare
 How It Is Done
 How It Feels
 Risks
 Results
 What Affects the Test
Arrow PointerWhat To Think About
 References
 Credits