-IBIS-1.5.0-
rx
chemistry screen
BUN
diagnoses
definition
BUN: blood urea nitrogen
reference values:
standard: 5-25 mg/dl
healthy: 10-18 mg/dl
conditions that can exhibit an increase in BUN:
Impaired kidney function; Prerenal azotemia (decreased kidney blood flow from shock, congestive heart failure); Postrenal azotemia (from obstruction of the urinary tract); Increased protein metabolism; Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus; Rheumatoid arthritis; Gout; Anterior pituitary disorder.
conditions that can exhibit a decrease in BUN:
Severe liver damage or failure; Increased use of protein synthesis (e.g. pregnancy); Diet (high protein/low carbohydrate); Celiac disease; Nephrotic syndrome, occasionally; Amino acid deficiencies from digestive problems or from eating too much cooked animal protein.
in general:
6-8 mg/dl: Overhydration (posterior pituitary dysfunction, especially if there is a low specific gravity).
10-20 mg/dl: normal glomerular function.
50-150 mg/dl: serious kidney disease.
150-250 mg/dl: severely impaired glomerular function.
In chronic kidney disease, BUN level is a better indicator for uremia than creatinine levels.
footnotes