When a patient visits their doctor, the physician might order several tests. These routine tests often have terms such as BUN and creatinine. Individuals are usually not familiar with the terms, but they should be.
Doctors review the test results to gain buncreatinine ratio insights. They want to know how well the patient’s body is functioning. This ratio provides information that can help them determine if the patient needs treatment and why.
What is the BUN/Creatinine Ratio?
This ratio provides valuable information about the individual’s kidneys and liver, as well as how well they are functioning. The BUN level provides information about the amount of blood urea nitrogen present in the body. When a person consumes food, the liver breaks down any protein in this food. As part of this process, urea nitrogen is produced. Many things influence an individual’s BUN level, including their protein intake, whether they are hydrated, and their kidney function.
Creatinine is a natural waste product that the body produces when the muscles break down creatine. The substance that provides the body with energy is creatine, and an individual’s creatine level is usually stable. Diet has a lesser impact on the production of this waste material compared to blood urea nitrogen, making it a more reliable indicator of the person’s kidney function. The doctor requests this test to ensure the lab values are within the expected range. If they are not, the individual may be struggling with dehydration, kidney issues, or another systemic problem.
What is a Normal BUN/Creatinine Ratio?
When doctors review the results of this test, they are looking for a ratio between 10 and 15.1. Results may vary slightly by the lab conducting the test. However, if the ratio is significantly higher or lower than these numbers, the doctor must determine why.
A high ratio can be a sign of dehydration, but it could also be the result of a serious health condition. Individuals in acute heart failure who have a high ratio are at a higher risk of death within 6 months. Doctors must know this so they can take action to try to prevent this death. Patients with acute pancreatitis may also have a high ratio, which is linked to increased mortality. When a doctor has this information, they can make changes to the treatment plan to improve outcomes.
Doctors typically don’t see low BUN/creatinine ratios. However, they are sometimes observed. The low ratio usually indicates that the kidneys are no longer able to filter out creatinine, so this number is significantly higher than blood urea nitrogen. This problem is common in end-stage renal disease patients, among others.
The Heart Connection
The test result may also provide other information about the patient’s health. Acute ischemic stroke patients may undergo this test so doctors can see if they have a high ratio, which could lead to a poor outcome within three months. The risk of death greatly increases in those who have a high HDL cholesterol level, and targeted therapy may help reduce this risk.
This test provides doctors with valuable information, but it is not perfect. It alerts a doctor that the patient is severely ill. The doctor should use it as a clue, pointing them in the right direction when it comes to providing a diagnosis and creating a treatment plan. When combined with other lab tests, clinical symptoms, and the patient’s medical history, the BUN/creatinine ratio is beneficial.