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blood urea nitrogen
/blˈʌd jʊɹˈiə nˈaɪtɹədʒən/
/blˈʌd jʊəɹˈiə nˈaɪtɹədʒən/
BUNBlood urea nitrogen
01
a measurement in blood tests that assesses kidney function and hydration status for diagnosing conditions
What is "blood urea nitrogen"?
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is a measurement used to evaluate kidney function through blood tests. BUN measures the amount of urea nitrogen, which is a waste product formed from the breakdown of proteins, in the blood. The kidneys normally filter urea out of the blood and remove it through urine. High BUN levels can suggest that the kidneys are not working properly, which might be due to conditions like kidney disease, dehydration, or high protein intake. Low BUN levels can occur in cases of liver disease or malnutrition.
