A 44-year-old member asked:
How does the bun/creatinine ratio show whether or not you have dehydration?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Mahmood Khichianswered
Pediatric Critical Care 33 years experience
BUN/Creatinine ratio: Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is the breakdown of protein excreted via kidney. Creatinine is the muscle breakdown product also excreted by the kidney. BUN and creatinine can be measured by lab tests. Usually the BUN / creatinine ratio has to to be over 20 for a patient to be considered dehydrated or in "pre renal kidney failure.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 44-year-old member asked:
How can the bun/creatinine ratio show dehydration?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
A Verified Doctoranswered
24 years experience
BUN/Cr > 20:1: Urea (BUN) is reabsorbed by the kidney; creatinine is not. In dehydration, as water decreases and urea is reabsorbed, the BUN rises. Eventually, the cr will rise, too (if dehydration continues), but it doesn't increase in magnitude as fast as the bun. The bun/cr ration is usually ~10:1...When it's greater than 20:1, this suggests dehydration.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
How can the bun/creatinine ratio indicate dehydration?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Terry Woodardanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 34 years experience
May be helpful: There are many causes of an elevated BUN or elevated creatinine, and the ratio between them must be interpreted in the clinical context of each specific patient. What is commonly referred to as "dehydration" usually causes an increase in the BUN to creatinine ratio, but other significant conditions may cause a similar rise and need to be considered, especially if there is an acute illness involved.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
How can the bun/creatinine ratio tell you have dehydration?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Quresh Khairullahanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 44 years experience
See below: An elevated BUN with normal creatinine and a ratio of [generally more than 18-20] occurs most commonly in dehydrated individuals and is not a sign of kidney damage.It may also occur in in certain other conditions like bleeding in the intestines, artificial nutrition intravenously of Amino Acids and use of steroids.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Jun 10, 2014
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