Lab test · Nephrology
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
Kidney function
- Blood sample
- No fasting
- Report within 24 hours
- Home collection
What this test is for
Kidney function
Urea is a waste product formed in the liver when the body breaks down protein, and it is removed from the blood by the kidneys. The blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test measures the nitrogen part of urea in your blood. It is used with creatinine to check how well the kidneys are working and whether you are well hydrated.
Why a doctor may order it
- To check kidney function, usually together with creatinine
- To look into dehydration, for example after vomiting, diarrhoea or poor fluid intake
- In people with heart failure, liver disease or bleeding from the stomach or gut
- As part of a routine kidney or health check-up
How to prepare
Fasting: Not needed.
You do not need to fast for BUN. Eat and drink as you usually do, because both a very high-protein meal and dehydration can raise BUN. Continue your regular medicines as usual unless your doctor advises otherwise.
At home
- Sample
- Blood sample
- How it works
- At your home, the collector takes a small blood sample from a vein in your arm, which only takes a few minutes. BUN and creatinine are usually measured from the same sample so they can be compared.
- Report
- Within 24 hours of collection.
What the results can mean
A high BUN can be caused by reduced kidney function, dehydration, a high-protein diet, bleeding in the upper gut, heart failure or some medicines, such as steroids. A low BUN is less common and may be seen with liver disease, poor nutrition or pregnancy. The ratio of BUN to creatinine can help show whether a problem lies in the kidneys themselves or elsewhere. Your doctor will interpret the result with your creatinine, eGFR and symptoms.
What's included
One test: Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), from one blood sample.
Related tests
- Blood UreaUrea is a waste product formed in the liver when the body breaks down protein.
- Serum CreatinineCreatinine is a waste product made by the normal breakdown of muscle.
- Kidney Function Test (RFT)A kidney function test, also called a renal function test (RFT), is a group of blood tests that show how well your kidneys are filtering waste from the blood.
- Serum ElectrolytesThis test measures sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate in your blood.
- Serum ChlorideSalt & water balance৳150
- Cystatin CKidney filtering rate৳2,500
Questions people ask
Is BUN the same as blood urea?
They measure the same substance but report it differently, so the numbers are not the same. Many reports in Bangladesh show blood urea, while others show BUN, each with its own reference range.
Can dehydration raise BUN?
Yes. When you are dehydrated, the kidneys hold on to more water and urea rises in the blood. BUN often returns to normal once you are rehydrated.
What is the BUN to creatinine ratio?
It compares the two results. A high ratio can suggest dehydration, bleeding in the gut or a high protein intake, while both rising together is more typical of kidney disease.
How much does a BUN test cost in Dhaka?
With Mukti Health the price is ৳270, and the sample is collected at your home in Dhaka. You see the price again before you confirm the booking in the Mukti Health app.
Can I do the BUN test at home in Dhaka?
Yes. Book it in the Mukti Health app and a trained sample collector comes to your home in Dhaka to take the blood sample. You do not need to go to a laboratory.
How long does the BUN report take?
The report is usually ready within 24 hours of the sample being collected.