*Open 7 days a week
*Late evening appointments
*Open 7 days a week
*Late evening appointments
Early kidney disease is a silent problem, and you may not know about it until you begin to feel the symptoms and it is too late to reverse it. If you have a family history of kidney disease or suffer from diabetes and high blood pressure, get your BUN and creatinine ratio tested as urea and creatinine are filtered in the kidney and excreted in the urine. The BUN/Creatinine ratio blood test measures the overall kidney functions and detects any sign of metabolic disease or liver damage. The internal medicine doctors at the Century Medical and Dental Center focus on diagnosing your renal problems and use the test results to recommend the best treatment.
BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine are two blood tests used for diagnosing acute or chronic kidney damage or disease. These tests reveal a lot about your metabolism, kidney, liver, and overall health. And while they can be tested separately, the BUN/creatinine ratio can help pinpoint significant health issues. They can also determine gastrointestinal bleeding or trauma in some cases.
Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine are both filtered in the kidney and excreted in the urine. Together, they help in measuring the overall kidney function. It allows the healthcare providers to assess how well the kidneys are functioning.
The BUN level alone does not reveal much about kidney health. It is the reason a creatinine test is also needed. When the BUN levels are studied with the creatinine levels, it gives a better picture of what is happening with the kidneys. It is known as the BUN/Creatinine ratio.
Some essential factors to know about BUN/Creatinine blood test
A Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) test measures the amount of nitrogen in your blood. It allows the doctors to learn about your kidney and liver performance. The nitrogen comes from the waste product urea converted from nitrogen and produced in the liver when protein is metabolized after eating.
Optimal functioning kidneys then filter and remove other waste products like urea through urination. Having some urea in the blood is normal as the liver is constantly producing it. High levels of urea may be a sign of some kidney problem that needs medical attention.
Creatinine is a type of molecule or waste product that is generated from muscle wear and tear. It comes from creatinine, a protein that helps generate energy for muscle contraction and is transported through the bloodstream to the kidneys, where it is filtered and excreted through the urine. The rate of creatinine formation depends on the individual’s muscle mass.
As creatinine production reflects muscle mass, it can change little from day to day due to mass change.
An excessive amount of creatinine is a sign of impaired kidney function or kidney disease.
The doctors use both BUN and Creatinine tests to check out the BUN to Creatinine ratio. These tests are a great diagnostic tool for observing liver and kidney health. When performed together, they provide your primary caregiver a much better understanding of your kidney health and accurate analysis of kidney-related health conditions.
A BUN test can check for severe dehydration, which generally causes BUN levels to rise, but Creatinine levels do not. It means taking a BUN/Creatinine Ratio Test when you are dehydrated may affect the results.
Protein intake can also affect the BUN test. High protein diets can lead to abnormally high BUN levels, while low protein diets can result in low BUN levels. Adequate hydration and consuming sufficient amounts of proteins before taking the test are necessary to get accurate results.
This test is simple as well as quick. The lab technician can perform a blood test most easily. It is just like any other blood test carried out in a laboratory. The entire process takes about 5 to 10 minutes.
A BUN/Creatinine ratio is acquired by dividing the BUN count with the creatinine count. The normal range for BUN/Creatinine ratio is anywhere between 5 – 20 mg/dL. The body produces much more BUN than creatinine, and the ideal ratio lies between 10:1 and 20:1.
Results higher than this range mean an excess of BUN in the blood, which indicates a lack of adequate blood flow to the kidneys. BUN/Creatinine ratio increases with age, and with decreasing muscle mass. An excessively high ratio could also point to conditions such as congestive heart failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, or severe dehydration. If the BUN/Creatinine ratio falls below the suggested range, it could indicate liver disease or malnutrition.
A Blood Urea Nitrogen test helps in the diagnosis, screening, and monitoring of your kidney condition. It is generally less informative when conducted on its own, and this is why it is taken with other measurements related to kidney function to get an accurate analysis.
Diagnosis – It is the process of finding the causes when symptoms have already developed. A BUN test is needed if you show signs of kidney diseases such as urinary changes, swelling in your arms or legs, muscle cramps, or frequent episodes of fatigue.
Screening – It helps to detect a health problem before signs and symptoms have appeared. A BUN test is recommended with other assessments during regular medical checkups to look for potential kidney issues. Screening is for people who are at higher risk of kidney diseases due to diabetes, cardiovascular problems, or a family history of kidney problems.
Monitoring – It is the most effective way for physicians to keep an eye on the patient’s condition and its changes. Checking for blood urea nitrogen may be a part of observing kidney functions over time. This test provides crucial information for evaluating response to treatment for kidney issues.
In certain cases, BUN and Creatinine tests are suggested when the doctor wants to look for the side effects of any medication on the kidney.
BUN/Creatinine ratio test results have been proven to be one of the most accurate ways to diagnose acute or chronic renal disease, gastrointestinal bleeding, and urinary tract blockages. The good thing is that this test does not carry any risk to patient’s health or organs.
Before the blood test, it is necessary to inform your doctor about any prescription medications that you are taking. The doctor may ask you to stop them for a short time as they might alter the results.
If you are only going for a BUN test, there is no restriction on eating and drinking. If you are getting other blood tests done too, you may be asked to fast before the test. Check this with your healthcare provider to ensure you are ready for the screening and get accurate results regarding your condition.
The BUN/Creatinine ratio test aids primary care doctors in diagnosing acute or chronic kidney disease. It allows the experienced and board-certified specialists at the Century Medical and Dental Center to keep an eye on your kidney performance and see if they are filtering waste like urea and creatinine from the blood effectively. This test investigates the causes of decreased blood flow to the kidneys and helps you live a better quality of life, free of life-threatening conditions resulting from renal failure in the long run.
Century Medical and Dental Center is an accredited healthcare facility in NY that operates in accordance with Article 28, a public health law. This law regulates and recognizes accreditation for public healthcare facilities, ensuring they are licensed and operated correctly. By undergoing the Article 28 process and achieving accreditation, Century Medical and Dental Center demonstrates its commitment to meeting the highest standards of care.
As a multidisciplinary medical center, we have highly qualified doctors, nurses, and support staff who are working hard to provide the best medical care to patients in Midtown Manhattan, NY, Downtown Brooklyn, NY, including Brooklyn Heights, Dumbo, Prospect Heights, Park Slope, Clinton Hill, Boerum Hill, Red Hook, and Bedford-Stuyvesant.