If the doctor suspects kidney disease, he will order blood urea and nitrogen test to learn about the functioning of kidneys. BUN test is prescribed to know how well the kidneys perform. But, this test may also be the part of your routine health screening. If you have taken the health package or health checkup package, the test may be included in that. When you finish eating, your body produces the waste product called urea nitrogen. The function of the kidney is to eliminate this waste, the result of protein breakdown from the food you eat. The function of the liver is to break down the protein, and the result is BUN or blood urea nitrogen. If the concentration of BUN is more in the blood, it shows that the kidneys are not performing well to filter the blood. Hence, the test is prescribed.
Kidneys are vital organs of the body. If the kidneys are healthy, they can easily remove BUN from the blood. The Blood Urea Nitrogen Test helps to measure out the amount of BUN in the blood. If the level of BUN in the blood is much beyond the normal range, it suggests that either your liver or kidneys are not functioning properly. When this is found out, the doctor can prescribe a series of other tests.
Why you should take the test?
The blood urea nitrogen test is the necessity when you show signs of kidney disease. The BUN level in the blood may speak a lot about your kidney functioning. The treatment will immediately start if you are diagnosed with kidney disease. Apart from tracing out kidney ailment, the test is the part of routine health screening when you are undergoing a treatment for any severe condition in the hospital.
When to take blood urea nitrogen test?
You may show the symptoms of kidney disease stated as following:
- the change in the quantity of urine
- if the pee is bloody, foamy and discolored or in brown color
- experiencing pain when you pee
- you notice swelling on the face, around the eyes, arms and legs
- pain in the legs and thighs when you sleep
- mid-back pain or pain in the region where kidneys are located
- you feel exhausted all the while
Preparation for the test
Not much preparation for the test is required. But, you need to speak about the medicines you are taking. This must be disclosed to the doctor as the test results might be impacted by other medications. If you are just asked to take blood urea and nitrogen test, you may eat as usual. But, if other blood tests are also prescribed, you need to fast or go by the doctor’s instructions. The lab professional will just draw out few drops of blood from the veins like in case of TPHA test. The doctor will speak about the preparation you have to make.
Analyzing the results
The test report will clearly state the amount of blood urea and nitrogen in the blood. If the BUN is between 7-20mg per deciliter, it is normal. If the range is not 7-20 milligram per deciliter, you must discuss it out with the doctor.
Only the elevated level of blood urea and nitrogen in the blood does not suggest kidney disease. However, it can result from other factors too. Blood urea nitrogen test may also be prescribed to diagnose bone cancer.
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