What test is useful for assessing kidney function along with serum creatinine?

Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is a crucial test used to assess kidney function alongside serum creatinine levels. Both BUN and serum creatinine are waste products that are filtered by the kidneys, and their levels in the blood can provide insight into how well the kidneys are functioning.

BUN measures the amount of nitrogen in the blood that comes from urea, a waste product formed from the breakdown of protein. Elevated levels of BUN may indicate that the kidneys are not effectively removing waste or that there are other factors affecting kidney function, such as dehydration, high protein intake, or certain medical conditions.

When interpreted together, BUN and serum creatinine levels help clinicians differentiate between prerenal (related to decreased blood flow to the kidneys), intrarenal (caused by damage to kidney tissue), and postrenal (related to obstruction of urine flow) causes of kidney dysfunction. The ratio of BUN to creatinine also provides additional information about the underlying issues affecting kidney health.

In contrast, a complete blood count primarily assesses overall health and detects a variety of disorders, such as anemia or infection, but does not specifically evaluate kidney function. A urine culture is used to identify urinary tract infections and does not provide immediate insights into kidney function. An