Understanding Urea & BUN Levels: Causes & Implications

Urea is a waste product that is produced when the body breaks down protein. It is transported in the blood to the kidneys, where it is filtered out and excreted in urine. Urea nitrogen (BUN) is a measure of the amount of urea in the blood. A high BUN level can indicate kidney disease, dehydration, or other medical conditions.

Normal BUN levels:

- Adults: 10-20 mg/dL

- Children: 7-18 mg/dL

High BUN levels can be caused by:

- Kidney disease

- Dehydration

- Heart failure

- Liver disease

- Gastrointestinal bleeding

- Shock

- Burns

- Trauma

- Certain medications

Low BUN levels can be caused by:

- Liver disease

- Pregnancy

- Malnutrition

- Certain medications

If you have a high or low BUN level, your doctor will order additional tests to determine the cause. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause of the abnormal BUN level.