The BUN level may be checked in order to assess or monitor:

• the presence or progression of kidney or liver disease.
• blockage of urine flow.
• mental confusion. Patients with kidney failure are sometimes disoriented and confused.
• abnormal loss of water from the body (dehydration).
• recovery from severe burns. The body uses larger than normal amounts of protein following serious burns.

The BUN test is performed on a sample of the patient's blood, withdrawn from a vein into a vacuum tube. The procedure, which is called a venipuncture, takes about five minutes.

The doctor should check to make sure that the patient is not taking any medications that can affect BUN results. These drugs include the antibiotics chloramphenicol, streptomycin, amphotericin B, methicillin, gentamicin, tobramycin, and kanamycin, as well as diuretics and corticosteroids.

The patient should be advised not to eat large amounts of meat the day before the test.

Aftercare consists of routine care of the area around the venipuncture.

The primary risk is the possibility of a bruise or swelling in the area of the venipuncture. The patient can apply moist warm compresses.

Normal BUN levels are 5-18 mg/dL for children; 7-18 mg/dL for adults; and 8-20 mg/dL in the elderly.

BUN levels can be too low as well as too high.

Low levels of BUN may indicate overhydration, malnutrition, celiac disease [a disease characterized by the inability ot tolerate foods containing wheat protein (gluten)], liver damage or disease, or use of corticosteroids. Low BUN may also occur in early pregnancy.

High levels of BUN may indicate kidney disease or failure; blockage of the urinary tract by a kidney stone or tumor; a heart attack or congestive heart failure; dehydration; fever; shock; or bleeding in the digestive tract. High BUN levels can sometimes occur during late pregnancy or result from eating large amounts of protein-rich foods. A BUN level higher than 100 mg/dL points to severe kidney damage.