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Message |
Alese
Member
Username: Olade
Post Number: 92
Registered: 06-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2011 - 07:08 pm: | 
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Recently I read an article in the newspaper from a doctor columnist who publishes questions and answers each week.
The question to the doctor (Dr. Donohue-P.O.Box 536475, Orlando, FL) is that this fellow had recent lab work and he saw BUN and wondered what its meaning.
The answer the doctor wrote: "BUN" is "blood urea nitrogen." Urea nitrogen is a waste product. Increased blood levels indicate that the kidneys are not functioning normally. A normal BUN is 6-20 mg/dL (2.1-7.2 mmol/L).
This article caught my eye because I am always in the increased levels....Last labs the BUN was 31, but usually range from 21-27. Txp knows that my BUN is always above the norms....but not concerned....
Now that I understand BUN better, I AM concerned.....What are your BUN levels???
BTW, this isn't new. I've always had elevated levels.
Let me know....
alese INFL} |
Alese
Member
Username: Olade
Post Number: 93
Registered: 06-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2011 - 07:12 pm: |
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PS....Kidney/Pancreas Txp- 4/21/03
UM/Jackson Hospital, Miami, Florida
How can I make those words permanent on my threads?
alese |
Richard Owens
Member
Username: Richardindy
Post Number: 713
Registered: 07-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2011 - 10:02 pm: |
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Alese
I've always had elevated BUN levels, too. It is usually in the mid-20s, but can get to 30s occasionally. After years of my nephrologist never mentioning it, I asked him why he never did. The way he explained it, BUN must have been an indicator of kidney problems early in nephrology days. He said he didn't really look at it anymore since we have a much better indicator--creatinine. He admitted he didn't know why doctors still put it on lab orders, but, "we all still do it." End of discussion. LOL
RE: Permanent signatures (such as mine) In the upper left corner of the blue is "Edit Profile" Click on it and go to "Signature." You can put anything you want there.
The best to you, Alese. Have a great new year.
Richard
Kidney Transplant - Aug 30, 1986 - Type One Diabetes
Liver Transplant - May 15, 2007 - Hepatic Carcinoma due to Hepatitis C |
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ed
Forum Leader
Username: Ed2001
Post Number: 277
Registered: 03-2010
| | Posted on Monday, December 19, 2011 - 06:28 am: |
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Alese,
I agree with what Richard said. The BUN signifies how much waste isn't removed, and it isn't really needed considering we use creatinine. Doctors, however, do use it as another/added indicator to the creatinine, as one or the other could move earlier when certain issues do come up. For example, if the creatinine only moves a bit but the BUN rises a significant amount from the baseline, it may be an early indicator that something may be about to happen.
As for the above normal level, you have to remember you have only 1 kidney, and a transplanted one at that. So it is normal for it to be slightly above normal. Some transplant patients have it within normal. But as with our creatinine levels, the trend of the BUN is more important than the level, as long as the level isn't way above the normal range.
As long as your tx team knows about it and they aren't worried, you shouldn't to. But I know you had to ask for peace of mind, like I always do.
Kidney Transplant
April 2001 |
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Alese
Member
Username: Olade
Post Number: 94
Registered: 06-2006
| | Posted on Monday, December 19, 2011 - 05:02 pm: |
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Thank you Richard and Ed...
I do feel better now and am satisfied with your answers.
Richard, I changed my profile and signature....Will see if it works when I post this.
Thanks again and HAPPY, HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR AND HOLIDAYS.
Hugs, alese
SPK-Pancreas/ Kidney Transplant
4/21/2003
Univ. of Miami/ Jackson Hospital
Miami, Florida
Dialysis
11/2 yrs. on txp wait list
Live in SE Florida outside Fort Lauderdale...
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