BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen)
BUN measures urea, the waste left when your body breaks down protein. The kidneys clear it, so BUN gives a rough view of kidney function and hydration.
Your reading
This app uses 7–20 mg/dL. It rises with dehydration, a high-protein diet, intense training and some medications, as well as with reduced kidney function. A low BUN can come from a low-protein diet or overhydration and is rarely a concern.
What may help
- —Drinking enough fluid before the test
- —Reading it with creatinine and the BUN/creatinine ratio, which helps tell dehydration apart from kidney issues
When to talk to a doctor
If BUN is high together with high creatinine or a low eGFR, or stays high after you're well hydrated.
Common questions
What is BUN?
BUN measures urea, the waste left when your body breaks down protein. The kidneys clear it, so BUN gives a rough view of kidney function and hydration.
What is a normal BUN level?
Daygo uses 7–20 mg/dL as the reference range. This app uses 7–20 mg/dL. It rises with dehydration, a high-protein diet, intense training and some medications, as well as with reduced kidney function. A low BUN can come from a low-protein diet or overhydration and is rarely a concern.
How can I improve my BUN?
Drinking enough fluid before the test. Reading it with creatinine and the BUN/creatinine ratio, which helps tell dehydration apart from kidney issues.
When should I see a doctor about BUN?
If BUN is high together with high creatinine or a low eGFR, or stays high after you're well hydrated.
Source: MedlinePlus (NIH): Basic Metabolic Panel. Reference ranges are standard adult intervals — your own lab may report a different range for your age, sex, or method. This isn't medical advice; always go by the range on your actual results and talk to a clinician about anything that concerns you.