What does a high BUN level mean?
Generally, a high BUN level means your kidneys aren’t working well. But elevated BUN can also be due to: Dehydration, resulting from not drinking enough fluids or for other reasons. Urinary tract obstruction. Congestive heart failure or recent heart attack.
Is a BUN level of 26 high?
Your result will be a number that measures how much BUN is in your blood. The range considered normal is between 7 to 20 milligrams per deciliter.
What medications cause high BUN levels?
Commonly prescribed medications that may raise your BUN levels include:
- amphotericin B (AmBisome, Fungizone)
- carbamazepine (Tegretol)
- cephalosporins, a group of antibiotics.
- furosemide (Lasix)
- methotrexate.
- methyldopa.
- rifampin (Rifadin)
- spironolactone (Aldactone)
How do I get my BUN levels down?
Proper hydration is the most effective way to lower BUN levels. A low-protein diet can also help lower BUN levels. A medication wouldn’t be recommended to lower BUN levels….Lower BUN levels can indicate:
- liver failure.
- malnutrition.
- severe lack of protein in the diet.
- overhydration.
How is the BUN test used to monitor kidney function?
The BUN (blood urea nitrogen) level in the blood is used to monitor the progression of kidney failure. BUN may also be monitored if you are given drugs that may impair kidney function. The BUN test is a simple blood test that is used to measure kidney function.
What’s the normal level of bun in blood?
The normal range of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is between 7 and 20 mg/dL or 2.5 and 7.1 mmol/L. There may be slight variations between labs. A decline in kidney function can cause an increase in BUN levels.
What is bun on comprehensive metabolic panel?
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is a blood test performed as a marker of kidney function. It is part of the basic or comprehensive metabolic panel done for health screening. It is also used to monitor the progression of kidney failure. BUN is produced by the breakdown of protein and usually cleared from the blood by the kidneys.
What should the ratio of bun to creatinine be?
The blood urea nitrogen test, which is also called a BUN or serum BUN test, measures how much of the waste product you have in your blood. If your levels are off the normal range, this could mean that either your kidneys or your liver may not be working properly. The ideal ratio of BUN to creatinine falls between 10-to-1 and 20-to-1.