BUN/Creatinine Ratio
The BUN/creatinine ratio compares blood urea nitrogen — a waste product from protein breakdown — with creatinine — a waste product from muscle metabolism. Both are filtered by the kidneys, and their ratio gives kidney-function context.
Why it matters: A higher ratio can reflect dehydration, recent high-protein intake, or upper gastrointestinal bleeding. A typical or lower ratio with elevated creatinine often points more toward kidney filtering changes than dehydration.
May increase with:
May decrease with:
What is BUN/Creatinine Ratio?
The BUN/creatinine ratio compares blood urea nitrogen — a waste product from protein breakdown — with creatinine — a waste product from muscle metabolism. Both are filtered by the kidneys, and their ratio gives kidney-function context.
What might a high or low BUN/Creatinine Ratio mean?
A higher ratio can reflect dehydration, recent high-protein intake, or upper gastrointestinal bleeding. A typical or lower ratio with elevated creatinine often points more toward kidney filtering changes than dehydration.
What can affect BUN/Creatinine Ratio?
It may be higher with: Dehydration, Gastrointestinal bleeding, High protein diet. It may be lower with: Liver disease, Low protein intake.
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