Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) Test

Also Known As

BUN, BUN to Creatine Ratio, Urea Nitrogen

What Is the Purpose of the BUN Blood Test?

It’s crucial to stay on top of your kidney health. Your kidneys are important for wellness balance – they regulate waste elimination, chemical levels, and production of vitamin D, as well as red blood cells, some hormones, among other functions. A blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test is an important tool for tracking your kidney health.

What Does the BUN Test Measure?

A blood test for BUN is used to evaluate kidney function by measuring the amount of nitrogen in the blood that comes from the waste product urea.

Who Should Take a Urea Nitrogen Blood Test?

A BUN lab is helpful if you want to ensure your kidneys are functioning properly. You may also order this test if you have a risk of kidney disease and want to monitor their health as part of a comprehensive strategy to prevent this disease. Chronic kidney disease risk factors include:

• Family history of the disease
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Kidney damage
• Heart disease
• Obesity

BUN Lab Preparation

Do not eat meat or other protein 24 hours before having a blood urea nitrogen test.

Blood Test BUN Results

Normal BUN ranges can vary a bit, but they typically measure between 6 to 24 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter). High BUN level indicates that your kidneys cannot remove urea from the blood normally. There may be other causes behind a high BUN level reading – such as dehydration, medications, or heart attack–so your doctor may want to order more labs, including extra kidney function tests, to pinpoint the problem.

Where Can I Get a BUN Blood Test Near Me?

Personalabs offers a comprehensive online collection of health tests you can purchase, giving you greater control over your health. Use the accurate results you get to make informed healthcare choices so you can maintain an optimal state of wellness.

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Select the test of your choice from our online store and download the lab order. (A doctor’s preapproval won’t be required, depending on the state where you reside.)

Step 2: Check out our lab locator to search among our 4,000-plus partner labs across America and find the one near you. We are affiliated with Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp, two of the leading laboratory companies in America.

Step 3: Bring the blood work order to the lab for your appointment and complete the testing.

Step 4: Find your test results in your secure and confidential Personalabs account, typically within 2 to 10 business days. If you need to get your results within a specific turnaround window, please contact us and we will reach out to the lab on your behalf, as turnaround times can vary by location and provider.

Have questions at any step of the process? Contact us for help with test orders and results. You can even schedule a telehealth appointment with one of Personalabs’ board-certified physicians if you need to discuss what your results mean. Order your BUN blood test today.