The measuring of serum creatinine and BUN is common in renal function test and they both will increase in case of renal dysfunctions due to various renal parenchymal and renal vascular diseases.
BUN (blood urea nitrogen)
High BUN: nephritis, severe pyelonephritis, renal dysfunction, heart failure, shock, burns, hemorrhage, adrenal cortical hypothyroidism, prostatic hypertrophy, chronic urinary tract obstruction, etc.
Serum creatinine
High creatinine: renal failure, uremia, heart failure, gigantism, acromegaly, salicylates treatments, etc.
Low creatinine: progressive muscle atrophy, leukemia, anemia, etc.
BUN/creatinine
High level: reduced renal perfusion (dehydration, hypovolemic shock, congestive heart failure), urinary tract obstructive diseases, decomposition hypermetabolism, glomerular lesions, use of steroid hormones, etc.
Low level: acute tubular necrosis
Prior attention before renal function test: 3 days before the test, patients should have vegetarian diets and the daily protein intake should be less than 40g. This is because creatinine in the blood comes from both muscle metabolism and the metabolism of the meat products we eat. Thought the latter accounts for small part, it will affect the accuracy and stability of the test.
In addition, avoid doing strenuous activities before the test so as to reduce creatinine decomposition.
Preventive measures for protecting your kidney functions
In case of the following illness conditions, regular urine tests should be done to help have early detection of renal abnormalities so as to have early treatments and prevent advanced renal damages.
·Edema around the eyelid or in the face 1-3 weeks after colds, sore throat, tonsillitis, etc.
·Allergic diseases such as urticaria, allergic purpura, etc
·Skin infectious diseases
·Systemic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, connective tissue diseases, etc.
In addition, regular and reasonable diets and life habits are also very important for your kidney health. Avoid over-tiredness or over-eating.
Have more cautions before taking any medicines, weather it is antibiotics, hormones or herbal medicines, take it under the doctor’s permission and guidance with proper method and dosage and avoid taking renal toxicity drugs and medicines. This is especially important for those that have been diagnosed with kidney lesions.
If you still have any doubts, you can feel to contact me by E-mail renal-disease@hotmail.com,or WhatsApp / Viber:008615132830921.