$2.00
Priced per marker, with baseline labs included. You’ll see your total before you pay.
Metabolism & organs
BUN (urea nitrogen) test
Blood urea nitrogen. Kidney function marker influenced by hydration and protein intake.
At a glance
In about 5 days
Most results are ready in about 5 days. Some specialty markers can take up to 21 days.
Check before your draw
This marker has no preparation tag, but it can still need preparation. Contact us before your draw if you’re not sure.
Walk in at Quest
Your lab order arrives by email. Most Quest locations take walk-ins, so bring it with a photo ID.
What it measures
Urea nitrogen is a waste product made when your body breaks down protein. Your kidneys filter it out, so this test helps show how well they’re working and how hydrated you are.
Why it matters for women
In pregnancy, your kidneys filter more blood, so this level can run lower than before and what counts as normal can shift. Dehydration from vomiting, including morning sickness that won’t let up, can push it up. It’s usually read with creatinine, another kidney waste product, for a clearer picture.
You might check it if…
- you want a check on how your kidneys are working
- you’ve been vomiting a lot or feel dehydrated
- you live with diabetes or high blood pressure
What your result may mean
High BUN (urea nitrogen): what it may mean
High BUN (blood urea nitrogen) may point to dehydration, a high-protein diet, bleeding in the digestive tract (GI bleeding) or reduced kidney function. It can also rise when your body is breaking down a lot of its own tissue (a catabolic state), as can happen with severe illness. Dehydration from vomiting, including morning sickness that won't let up, can push it up. Steroid medicines can nudge it higher as well. Creatinine, another kidney waste product, can give a clearer picture when checked alongside it.
Low BUN (urea nitrogen): what it may mean
Low BUN can reflect liver problems, low protein intake, malnutrition or drinking a lot of fluid (overhydration). In pregnancy, your kidneys can filter more blood, so BUN can run lower than before and what counts as normal can shift. Eating very little, as with an eating disorder, can also bring it down. On its own, a low value can be harmless. If it comes with low albumin or abnormal liver enzymes, a clinician may look more closely at your liver or nutrition.
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These notes provide context and do not diagnose a condition. Not yet available in NY, NJ, RI, HI, ND, SD or WV.