Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is BUN?Purpose of TestBefore the TestInterpreting ResultsDiabetes ManagementA Word From Verywell
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is BUN?
Purpose of Test
Before the Test
Interpreting Results
Diabetes Management
A Word From Verywell
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is ablood testperformed 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.
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What Is Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)?
Part of a Group of TestsThe BUN test is part of the typical Chem 7 blood chemistry test or basic metabolic panel. This group of tests includes glucose, BUN, creatinine, carbon dioxide, sodium, potassium, and chloride. This panel is typically run during health screenings and in monitoring diabetes management. All of the tests are performed on the same tube of blood, typically analyzed in a lab using an instrument set up to run them all at the same time.
Part of a Group of Tests
The BUN test is part of the typical Chem 7 blood chemistry test or basic metabolic panel. This group of tests includes glucose, BUN, creatinine, carbon dioxide, sodium, potassium, and chloride. This panel is typically run during health screenings and in monitoring diabetes management. All of the tests are performed on the same tube of blood, typically analyzed in a lab using an instrument set up to run them all at the same time.
The purpose of the BUN test is to assess kidney function. It is also used to help diagnose kidney disease, and to monitor theeffectiveness of dialysisand other treatments related to kidney disease or damage.
You do not need any special preparation to take this test.
Uremia: Kidney Toxicity and Treatment
BUN in Diabetes Management
Kidney failure is a complication of diabetes. 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. Your healthcare provider can order a BUN test for any person, even if they have no apparent symptoms or underlying conditions, and the result turnaround is pretty quick.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Seki M, Nakayama M, Sakoh T, et al.Blood urea nitrogen is independently associated with renal outcomes in Japanese patients with stage 3-5 chronic kidney disease: a prospective observational study.BMC Nephrol. 2019;20(1):115. doi:10.1186/s12882-019-1306-1Tomizawa M, Shinozaki F, Hasegawa R, et al.Patient characteristics with high or low blood urea nitrogen in upper gastrointestinal bleeding.World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21(24):7500-5. doi:10.3748/wjg.v21.i24.7500Jujo K, Minami Y, Haruki S, et al.Persistent high blood urea nitrogen level is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events in patients with acute heart failure.ESC Heart Fail. 2017;4(4):545-553. doi:10.1002/ehf2.12188Additional ReadingLaura J. Martin, MD.BUN - blood test. MedlinePlus. U.S. National Library of Medicine.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Blood tests.Testing.com.Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test.
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Seki M, Nakayama M, Sakoh T, et al.Blood urea nitrogen is independently associated with renal outcomes in Japanese patients with stage 3-5 chronic kidney disease: a prospective observational study.BMC Nephrol. 2019;20(1):115. doi:10.1186/s12882-019-1306-1Tomizawa M, Shinozaki F, Hasegawa R, et al.Patient characteristics with high or low blood urea nitrogen in upper gastrointestinal bleeding.World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21(24):7500-5. doi:10.3748/wjg.v21.i24.7500Jujo K, Minami Y, Haruki S, et al.Persistent high blood urea nitrogen level is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events in patients with acute heart failure.ESC Heart Fail. 2017;4(4):545-553. doi:10.1002/ehf2.12188Additional ReadingLaura J. Martin, MD.BUN - blood test. MedlinePlus. U.S. National Library of Medicine.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Blood tests.Testing.com.Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Seki M, Nakayama M, Sakoh T, et al.Blood urea nitrogen is independently associated with renal outcomes in Japanese patients with stage 3-5 chronic kidney disease: a prospective observational study.BMC Nephrol. 2019;20(1):115. doi:10.1186/s12882-019-1306-1Tomizawa M, Shinozaki F, Hasegawa R, et al.Patient characteristics with high or low blood urea nitrogen in upper gastrointestinal bleeding.World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21(24):7500-5. doi:10.3748/wjg.v21.i24.7500Jujo K, Minami Y, Haruki S, et al.Persistent high blood urea nitrogen level is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events in patients with acute heart failure.ESC Heart Fail. 2017;4(4):545-553. doi:10.1002/ehf2.12188
Seki M, Nakayama M, Sakoh T, et al.Blood urea nitrogen is independently associated with renal outcomes in Japanese patients with stage 3-5 chronic kidney disease: a prospective observational study.BMC Nephrol. 2019;20(1):115. doi:10.1186/s12882-019-1306-1
Tomizawa M, Shinozaki F, Hasegawa R, et al.Patient characteristics with high or low blood urea nitrogen in upper gastrointestinal bleeding.World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21(24):7500-5. doi:10.3748/wjg.v21.i24.7500
Jujo K, Minami Y, Haruki S, et al.Persistent high blood urea nitrogen level is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events in patients with acute heart failure.ESC Heart Fail. 2017;4(4):545-553. doi:10.1002/ehf2.12188
Laura J. Martin, MD.BUN - blood test. MedlinePlus. U.S. National Library of Medicine.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Blood tests.Testing.com.Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test.
Laura J. Martin, MD.BUN - blood test. MedlinePlus. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Blood tests.
Testing.com.Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test.
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