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What is BUN?

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) is a test doctors use to check how well your kidneys are working and to get an idea of your overall health. It measures the amount of nitrogen, a waste product from breaking down proteins, in your blood. When your body processes protein, it creates urea, and your kidneys are responsible for removing this urea from your blood. If your kidneys aren’t working properly, urea can build up in your blood, and the BUN test helps to detect this. However, BUN levels can also be affected by other things like dehydration or certain medications. Doctors usually look at BUN levels alongside other tests to understand how well your kidneys are doing their job and how healthy you are overall.

Why is BUN important?

BUN is an essential marker for assessing kidney function. The kidneys play a crucial role in filtering waste products from the blood, including urea. SiPhox Health includes BUN in our Cardiometabolic+ panel to help monitor and manage BUN levels. Higher BUN levels can indicate potential issues with kidney function, while lower levels may suggest liver disease, malnutrition, or overhydration.

Monitoring BUN levels is vital for detecting and managing various health conditions, especially those affecting the kidneys. Elevated BUN levels may signify acute or chronic kidney disease, dehydration, congestive heart failure, urinary tract obstruction, gastrointestinal bleeding, tissue damage, Addison’s disease, or a high-protein diet. Conversely, low BUN levels can indicate liver damage, malnutrition, a low-protein diet, or overhydration.

How can I better understand my BUN levels?

BUN levels are typically reported in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) of blood. Normal BUN levels can vary depending on age, gender, and other factors, but generally fall between 7 to 20 mg/dL according to a few sources (CDC, American Kidney Fund, University of Rochester Medical Center).

Mayo Clinic Laboratories and Cleveland Clinic further broke the range down as follows:

  • 1-17 year old males and females: 7-20 mg/dL
  • Adult males: 7-25 mg/dL
  • Adult females: 6-21 mg/dL

How can I maintain optimal BUN levels?

While specific interventions may vary depending on the underlying cause of abnormal BUN levels, general strategies for maintaining kidney health include:

Dietary Changes: Maintaining a balanced diet by consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help promote kidney health and prevent complications. Additionally, staying hydrated helps support kidney function and maintain BUN within a healthy range.

Lifestyle Changes: Limiting exposure to substances that can harm the kidneys, such as certain medications, toxins, and heavy metals, is essential for kidney health.

Medical Care: Effectively managing conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease can help preserve kidney function and prevent complications. Furthermore, regular check-ups with healthcare providers can help monitor kidney function and detect any abnormalities early on.

Where can I learn more?

DISCLAIMER: IF YOU ARE CONCERNED WITH ANY OF YOUR RESULTS, PLEASE CONSULT WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN.