BUN/Creatinine ratio
From Health Facts
Latest Edit: Iva Lloyd, ND 2021-08-24 (EDT)
| See Also | Lab Tests |
|---|
BUN/Creatinine is dependent on the BUN and Creatinine levels. This ratio is used to assess patients with chronic renal dysfunction and serves as a rough guide, due to the variability in BUN and Creatinine levels.[1], [2]
Discussion
- An increased ratio is caused by either a decreased creatinine or an increased BUN level.
- A decreased ratio is caused by either a decrease in BUN with an increase in creatinine or a normal BUN with a greatly increased creatinine.
Patient Preparation
No preparation is required
Clinical Implications
Ranges: The following are the reference ranges for this lab. However, lab ranges can vary by laboratory and country. [2]
| Standard U.S. Units | Standard International Units | |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional Laboratory Range | 6-20 | 7-14 |
| Optimal Range | 10-16 | 13-17 |
| Alarm Ranges | < 5 or > 30 | < 4 or > 31 |
High levels indicate:
- Kidney disease
- Drug causes: steroids, antibiotics
- Other conditions: high protein intake, dehydration, GI bleeding
Low levels indicate:
- Low protein diet
- Posterior pituitary dysfunction
- Drug causes: Cephalosporin (antibiotics), Phenacemide (anti-convulsant)
- Other conditions: pregnancy (normal), liver dysfunction, Diabetic acidosis, Dialysis
Associated Tests
References
- ↑ Pagana Kathleen D, Pagana Timothy J (1998) Mosby's Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests, Mosby, Inc
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Weatherby Dicken, Ferguson Scott (2002) Blood Chemistry and CBC Analysis: Clinical Laboratory Testing from a Functional Perspective, Bear Mountain
