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.
• Diabetes experts recommend that blood creatinine levels be done every year for people with diabetes. The creatinine level is used to find the glomerular filtration rate, which shows how well the kidneys are working.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: November 21, 2006
Medical Review:	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine
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