|  | Conditions Treatments | Kidney Disease

What Does Bun & Creatine Mean?

BUN and creatinine tests are done to monitor kidney function. If blood levels of these substances are high, kidney disease may be present. Test results can also be used to diagnose other medical conditions.

  1. Definition

    • BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine are waste products found in the blood. These waste products are created when proteins are broken down by the body.

    Testing

    • Blood is drawn from a vein in one of the arms. The blood sample is sent to a laboratory, where technicians determine how much BUN and creatinine are present in the sample. The results are sent to your health care provider to aid in diagnosing or monitoring your medical condition.

    Normal Values

    • Medical professionals may differ slightly on the range of BUN and creatinine measurements they consider normal. The ADAM Medical Encyclopedia suggests that normal BUN levels range from 7 to 20 mg/dL, while normal creatinine levels range from 0.8 to 1.4 mg/dL.

    Results

    • Elevated BUN may signal kidney disease, congestive heart failure, low blood volume, gastrointestinal bleeding, obstruction of the urinary tract or high levels of protein in the digestive system. High creatinine levels might be caused by kidney infection, some degree of kidney failure, reduced blood flow to the kidneys, dehydration, muscular dystrophy or a form of kidney inflammation known as glomerulonephritis.

    Note About Pregnancy

    • BUN and creatinine levels decrease naturally during pregnancy, which can make it difficult to determine if kidney disease is present. Additional blood and urine tests may be necessary to diagnose kidney problems in pregnant women.

Kidney Disease - Related Articles