Blood Urea Test: Normal Values, & Results Explained

Do you know how well your kidneys are filtering waste from your body?

Interested? 

If yes, you need to know about the blood urea test, often referred to as the urea nitrogen test. Urea is a waste product formed when your body breaks down proteins in your blood. Since urea is eliminated through the kidneys, its levels in the blood serve as an important marker of kidney function. 

Today’s blog is a comprehensive guide to normal urea levels in the blood, along with everything you need to know about the test that provides vital insights into kidney health.

Difference between blood urea test and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test: 

Blood Urea Test	Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) Test
1. It measures the urea level directly in the blood.	1. It measures the nitrogen portion of urea in the blood.
2. Its normal range is 15-40 mg/dL (may vary slightly by lab.)	2. Its normal range is approx. 6-20 mg/dL (may vary slightly by lab.)
3. Results can be reported in mmol/L or mg/dL	3. Results can be reported in mg/dL ( nitrogen content of urea).
4. Urea value is about twice the BUN value (urea ≈ 2.14 × BUN)	4. BUN is about half the urea value.
5. Evaluates both kidney function and protein metabolism	5. Primarily, the kidney function test.

What is the blood urea test, and what does it do?

As hinted above, a blood urea test measures the amount of urea in the blood. The test evaluates kidney and liver function by determining how well these organs remove urea from the bloodstream. 

Healthcare professionals recommend the test for:

1. To assess kidney function

It helps detect early signs of kidney dysfunction, liver problems, dehydration, or abnormalities in protein metabolism.

2. Monitors waste removal 

The test is commonly used to reveal how efficiently waste nitrogen is cleared from the body. 

3. Helps diagnose chronic conditions

Apart from diagnosing kidney disorders, the test is also used to monitor chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension, and evaluate organ health before surgery. 

4. Monitors ongoing treatment

The test is also crucial to monitor ongoing treatment for individuals with kidney problems or those on dialysis. 

What is the normal range of a blood urea test?

 A blood urea test's normal values by age may vary depending on the lab methods and units used. Blood urea and BUN are related (BUN x 2.14 = Blood Urea) 

Group	Blood Urea (mg/dL)	BUN (mg/dL)
Adults	15-40	7-20
Children	10-40	5-18
Elderly (> 60 years)	Slightly higher (up to 43)	8-23

What do these levels mean for you?

1. Normal Levels

If your blood urea test shows levels within the normal range, it usually indicates normal kidney functioning and effective waste filtering. 

How to maintain it?

To maintain normal blood urea levels, you should: 

1. Stay hydrated- This helps your kidneys flush out toxins efficiently. Remember, overhydration can raise blood urea levels. 

• Eat a balanced diet- Ensure you get sufficient protein, including beans, nuts, soups, and eggs. Additionally, a mix of vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can increase satiety, contributing to overall health and well-being.

Also read: 

https://redcliffelabs.com/myhealth/food-creative/how-to-balance-healthy-and-junk-food-in-your-diet/ 

• Avoid excessive use of medicines: Certain medications such as antibiotics and painkillers can negatively affect your kidneys. Always consume them as prescribed to avoid complications. 

• Limit alcohol intake: Excessive alcohol intake can stress your liver, which significantly contributes to urea production. 

• Monitor chronic conditions: Monitoring chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or kidney disease is essential to maintain urea levels. 

• Exercise regularly: Avoid overexertion. Moderate daily exercise for at least 30 minutes can help maintain healthy metabolism and protein turnover. 

2. Higher than normal levels

Elevated blood urea or BUN could signal kidney dysfunction, high protein intake, gastrointestinal bleeding, or certain medications affecting kidney function. Persistently elevated levels often need further investigation. 

3. Lower than normal levels 

While less common, lower-than-normal levels also require medical evaluation. 

Possible risks

Low blood urea levels can occur due to: 

• Overhydration
• Malnutrition
• Very low protein diet
• Liver disease
• Pregnancy
• Low muscle mass
• Excessive use of IV fluids or diuretics

What to do if levels are outside the normal range?

If your test results show abnormal blood urea levels, here is what you can do: 

1. Contact a qualified professional immediately 

You should never ignore the results. Schedule an appointment with a qualified professional immediately. He will evaluate your overall health and review medications, diet, symptoms, and medical history before making a treatment strategy. 

2. Regular monitoring 

If you have chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or kidney disease, your doctor may recommend periodic testing to track kidney function and urea levels.

3. General Lifestyle Factors

Based on your blood urea test results, some lifestyle modifications may also be needed, including staying hydrated, maintaining a balanced diet with appropriate protein, and exercising moderately to support metabolism.

Additional Note: A healthcare professional will interpret the values in the context of your overall health. To provide an accurate diagnosis, they will consider these results alongside other tests, such as serum creatinine, electrolyte levels, and urine analysis.

Conclusion

A blood urea test is a simple way to check how well your kidneys work and understand your overall health. Getting tested regularly, especially if you have a higher risk of conditions like kidney disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure, can help catch problems early. 

Discuss your test results with your doctor so you can understand what they mean and get the proper care. This can help you stay healthier in the long run.

Helpful Tip 

Have you just had your blood urea test results taken? If so, please enter your levels below in the test value evaluator to understand your values. 

FAQs

What is a blood urea test?

A blood urea test measures the amount of urea, a waste product formed from protein breakdown in the liver, present in your blood. The test helps doctors assess kidney function, hydration status, and protein metabolism. 

What is the normal range of blood urea?

The normal range for blood urea is generally between 15 and 40 mg/dL. These values vary slightly depending on the laboratory method used and by age. Values within the limits indicate that normal functioning of kidneys and the body’s protein metabolism is balanced, while levels outside the range could signal potential health issues. 

Why is the blood urea test done?

The blood urea test provides a comprehensive picture of yidney health, including detecting potential kidney disease or failure. It is also used to monitor hydration status and evaluate protein metabolism. It is often ordered with creatinine tests to provide a more comprehensive picture of kidney health. Doctors may also recommend it to track ongoing treatment or to investigate symptoms like fatigue, swelling, or high blood pressure.

What causes high blood urea levels?

High blood urea levels can occur due to kidney dysfunction or chronic kidney disease, dehydration, a high-protein diet, heart failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, or certain medications that affect kidney function. Identifying and treating the underlying cause early can help prevent complications.

What is the cost of a blood urea test in India?

In India, the cost of a blood urea test typically ranges from ₹100 to ₹300, depending on the city, diagnostic laboratory, and whether home sample collection is included. You can book this test and other kidney function assessments from Redcliffe Labs at a slightly higher price if suggested.