Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN Test): Price, Purpose & Results [2024]
BUN test, also known as Urea Test, measures the blood urea nitrogen in your blood sample. BUN is a waste product of protein digestion. If you have any symptoms of kidney disease, your doctor may prescribe this test. BUN test price usually ranges from Rs 100 to Rs 200. You can also avail in-home collection.
Your physician may recommend BUN/ Urea test in case of the following symptoms:
- Swelling in the hands or feet
- Change in frequency of urination
- Cloudy urine or blood in the urine
- Pain while passing urine
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
Test Details in Brief
| Also known as | Serum BUN, Blood urea nitrogen, Urea Test |
| Purpose | Measure blood urea and evaluate kidney function |
| Preparation | Fasting is not needed. No special preparation |
| Cost | Rs 100 to Rs 200 |
| Reporting time | 8 to 24 hours |
BUN/ Urea Test Price
BUN or Urea is comparatively an inexpensive test, and its price usually ranges from Rs 100 to Rs 200. However, the actual cost will depend on the diagnostic centre and city.
Doctors usually recommend BUN as part of the Kidney function test, which costs range from Rs 400 to Rs 700.
BUN test prices at Popular Diagnostic Centres
The table below lists the prices at popular diagnostic centres in India.
| Name of Lab | Test Price |
|---|---|
| Aarthi Scan | Rs 3285 – Rs 14400 ( City-based ) |
| Mahajan Imaging | Rs 14400 |
| City X-Ray | Rs 11200 |
| Shree Krishna Diagnostics | Rs 6650 |
| PULSE IMAGING | Rs 9100 |
| Janta X-Ray Clinic | Rs 8025 |
Cost in different cities
The BUN test cost depends upon the one recommended by your healthcare professional. The cost varies depending on the lab and the city.
| City | Test Price |
|---|---|
| MRI Abdomen Test Price in Delhi | Rs 3285 to Rs 14400 |
| MRI Abdomen Test Price in Mumbai | Rs 3285 to Rs 9100 |
| MRI Abdomen Test Price in Bangalore | Rs 3285 |
| MRI Abdomen Test Price in Hyderabad | Rs 3285 to Rs 8500 |
| MRI Abdomen Test Price in Gurgaon | Rs 3285 to Rs 14400 |
| MRI Abdomen Test Price in Chennai | Rs 3285 to Rs 4500 |
| MRI Abdomen Test Price in Kolkata | Rs 4050 to Rs 5090 |
How does your body form urea and get rid of it?
To understand the importance of BUN in kidney function, let’s briefly understand the urea excretion cycle.
- As your liver breaks down protein, it produces urea as a waste product in your body’s urea cycle.
- This urea is then primarily excreted in urine by the kidneys.
- Kidneys and the liver are your body’s vital organs, and any fluctuation in BUN values may indicate impairment of either of them.
- When the renal (kidney) function is impaired, the kidneys cannot remove urea, which is reflected by increased BUN levels in the blood.
Why should I get a BUN test?
Your doctor may have advised this test for any of the following reasons
- As a part of routine investigations or during a general health checkup.
- Suspicion of a kidney disease
- If you begin taking a new medicine that can affect your kidneys
- For monitoring response to treatment of a kidney disease
- If you are on dialysis
- As a part of routine tests in cases of hospital stay
How to calculate Urea level from BUN Levels?
BUN (Blood urea nitrogen) and Urea test are the same; these terms are used interchangeably. You can calculate blood Urea levels from your BUN test report using the molecular weight of Urea and nitrogen. To state simply, Urea is 2.14 times BUN for an mg/dL unit.
How do I prepare for the BUN test?
No special preparation is needed. You may drink and eat normally before the test. Do inform your doctor if you are taking any medicines, both prescription and non-prescription, ayurvedic, etc.
Kindly note that a doctor usually recommends a BUN or Urea test and other tests like creatinine, LFT and KFT, which may require overnight fasting.
What to expect during the test?
It is a fairly simple diagnostic blood test. A blood sample is taken from the vein in your arm or hand by the following steps-
- The technician may tie a tourniquet (elastic band) to your arm.
- The phlebotomist will locate your blood vessel.
- The site is cleaned with spirit.
- A Needle is inserted into your vein to draw the blood.
- A blood sample is then withdrawn into a syringe or a vial.
- Cotton is placed on the puncture site with mild pressure till the bleeding stops.
- A small band-aid is placed, which may be removed after an hour.
The entire procedure takes only a few minutes.
Are there any risks involved or any side effects?
It is a very simple and safe test. The risks involved are the same as that in any other blood test. These include-
- Infection at the puncture site if proper sterilization protocol is not followed and the needle is contaminated. This is, however, very rare. You may ensure that your phlebotomist takes the syringe in front of you from a sterile pack.
- Multiple pricks if the blood vessel is not easily found
- Excessive bleeding at the puncture site- Please inform your healthcare provider if you are taking blood thinners or have any bleeding disorders.
- Light-headedness due to stress or heavy bleeding.
Minor pain and bruising that might occur will resolve on their own in a very short time.
BUN Test result and interpretation
Test results are essential for the diagnosis of Kidney and Liver disorders. However, your results should be interpreted by a qualified doctor based on clinical findings.
What is the normal range?
The normal Blood Urea Nitrogen range is between 7 and 21 milligrams per decilitre (mg/dL). The range may vary among different laboratories.
| Test Name | Normal Range |
|---|---|
| BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) | 7-21 mg/dL |
Sample Report
What does deviation from the normal range imply?
A higher or lower than normal level of urea (BUN) may indicate a problem in the kidney or liver.
High Levels of BUN
Increased levels of BUN can be due to the following reasons
- Impaired kidney function or decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR). GFR is the amount of blood that passes per minute through the glomeruli (tiny filters in the kidney).
- A high-protein diet
- Use of certain medications like steroids (used in a variety of health conditions, a recent example being COVID 19 disease)
- Decrease in blood volume or Hypovolemia
- Congestive heart failure (decrease in the heart’s ability to pump blood)
- Excessive muscle breakdown due to high athletic activity or diseases like rhabdomyolysis
- Fever and rapid cell destruction due to infections
- Gastrointestinal haemorrhage or bleeding from the digestive tract
- Dehydration or loss of fluids in the body
- Burns
- Age factor
Low Levels of BUN
Decreased levels may be seen due to –
- Severe liver disease
- Anabolic state – It is when your body builds and repairs muscle tissue
- SIADH (Symptom of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone or ADH)- Excessive production of ADH that results in water retention and decreased sodium levels
- Genetic disorders causing OTC (Ornithine Transcarbamylase) deficiency. OTC is an enzyme that plays an essential role in the previously discussed urea cycle.
Are there any limitations to the BUN test?
Since BUN levels may be elevated in conditions like dehydration, burns, or taking certain medications or even a high protein diet, it may not be a reliable indicator of kidney disease. Creatinine levels are also measured along with BUN for a definitive diagnosis.
Also, BUN values remain within the normal range until there is more than 50% of renal function loss. Within that range, however, doubling the values (e.g., BUN rising from 8 to 16 mg/dl) may mean a 50% fall in kidney function.
Conclusion
The BUN test plays a vital role in the detection of kidney diseases. It may be raised due to other factors as well. It is best to give a proper history of symptoms, diet, and medications being taken to your healthcare provider and discuss the reason for any abnormality in the BUN level with them.
Early detection and proper guidance are possible to manage and cure every disease.
Book your tests with us and stay updated on what is happening in your body!
How to Book BUN Test
References
https://nchmd.org/health-library/articles/prc-20198841/
https://myhealth.ucsd.edu/Search/167,urea_nitrogen_serum
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Dr Garima Saroj
Dr Garima Saroj is a dentist from Manipal college of dental sciences. She has previously worked at ESIC dental college and hospital Delhi and Dentecare multispecialty dental clinic Gurugram. She has a passion for writing for patient education and awareness.