Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), Serum
Use
The determination of serum BUN is the most widely used screening test for evaluating kidney function. Increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) can indicate prerenal causes such as cardiac decompensation and water depletion, renal causes like acute glomerulonephritis and chronic nephritis, and postrenal causes such as urinary tract obstructions.
Special Instructions
Patient's age and sex are required for the test. If not ordering electronically, complete and send the Kidney Transplant Test Request or Renal Diagnostics Test Request form with the specimen.
Limitations
No significant cautionary statements have been provided regarding diagnostic confusion, improper specimen collection, or interfering substances. The performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in alignment with CLIA requirements.
New York Approved
Methodology
Automated Analyzer (Clinical Chemistry)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 3094-0
- 3094-0
Result Turnaround Time
1-2 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
0.5 mL
Minimum Volume
See Specimen Required
Container
Preferred: Serum gel; Acceptable: Red top
Collection Instructions
Serum gel tubes should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection. Red-top tubes should be centrifuged and the serum aliquoted into a plastic vial within 2 hours of collection.
Causes for Rejection
Gross hemolysis acceptable.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Refrigerated | 7 days |
| Frozen | 365 days |