If you have a high risk for developing kidney disease, even if you don't have symptoms now.Increased or decreased need to urinate (pee).Swelling in the hands and feet or puffy eyelids.If you have symptoms of kidney disease.To check your kidney health as part of a routine checkup.Your provider may order a creatinine test: This can help find out the cause of a kidney problem. Creatinine blood levels measured as part of a CMP or a BMP may be compared with the level of BUN (blood urea nitrogen) that's measured in the same test.A UACR compares the amounts of creatinine and albumin in your urine to get a more accurate measurement of how much albumin is in your urine. If larger amounts of albumin pass into your urine, it may be a sign of kidney damage. Normally your kidneys filter out just a trace of albumin, or none at all. Albumin is the main protein found in blood. Creatinine levels in urine may be used to calculate a urine albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR), which is sometimes called a microalbumin creatinine ratio.A creatinine clearance may still be useful to help identify the cause of high or low levels of blood creatinine in people who have very high muscle mass or a loss of muscle mass from age, illness, or the loss of an arm and/or leg. Like an eGFR, it estimates how fast your kidneys filter waste. This is called a creatinine clearance calculation. Creatinine levels in blood and urine maybe be compared with each other.An eGFR can also help show how serious kidney disease may be. An eGFR is a more accurate way to measure kidney health than creatinine levels in blood or urine alone. The calculation includes information about your age, weight, height, and sex. This is called an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Creatinine levels in blood are often used to calculate how fast your kidneys filter waste out of your blood.So, the results from creatinine testing are often used in calculations or compared with other substances to help get more information: That's because people make different amounts creatinine depending on how much muscle they have, the foods they eat, their age, and how active they are. Check for side effects from medicines that may affect your kidneysĬreatinine testing alone isn't the best way to check how well your kidneys are working.Monitor known kidney problems and see how well treatment is working.When the BUN is out of range, healthcare providers will often refer to the creatinine clearance test or BUN/creatinine ratio for a more accurate assessment. Small and large changes in BUN can occur from medications, dietary changes, and hydration status. Limitations of the test: The BUN test is a fast way to evaluate kidney function, but there are some limitations.When ordered as part of a basic or comprehensive metabolic panel, it can be used to evaluate a person's general health. BUN is usually used in conjunction with a creatinine test: The BUN test is primarily used along with the creatinine test to evaluate kidney function, as well as to monitor people with acute or chronic kidney dysfunction or failure.Before special tests: BUN tests may be ordered prior to some imaging studies like computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) where contrast dyes that could damage the kidneys are used.Therefore, BUN is collected to monitor for kidney health and effectiveness of treatment in those who already have established kidney disease. Underlying health conditions: Diabetes and high blood pressure are two types of conditions that may affect the kidneys.Low levels of BUN may occur in people who have liver failure, women who are pregnant, and to those who are overly hydrated. Significant liver damage or disease may inhibit the production of urea which can cause BUN concentrations to fall. High levels can be seen in people who have gastrointestinal bleeding, high protein diets, infection, and dehydration. The liver may produce too much urea or the kidneys may not be able to filter the waste out of the blood, which can cause levels to be high. High or low levels can indicate a problem: Diseases that affect the kidneys or liver can change the amount of urea in the blood.This process produces ammonia, which is then converted into the less toxic waste product urea. Urea is a waste product formed in the liver when protein is metabolized. What the test measures: This test measures the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood.

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