1. What is the BUN/Creatinine Ratio?

The BUN/Creatinine Ratio is a medical calculation that compares the levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine in the blood. It helps clinicians differentiate between various causes of kidney dysfunction and dehydration.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple ratio formula:

Where:

• \( BUN \) — Blood Urea Nitrogen (mg/dL)
• \( Creatinine \) — Serum Creatinine (mg/dL)

Explanation: The ratio is calculated by dividing the BUN value by the creatinine value, both measured in mg/dL.

3. Importance of BUN/Creatinine Ratio

Details: This ratio helps differentiate between prerenal azotemia (high ratio, typically >20:1) and intrinsic renal disease (ratio typically 10-15:1). It's also useful in assessing hydration status and gastrointestinal bleeding.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both BUN and creatinine values in mg/dL. Both values must be valid (greater than 0). The calculator will compute the ratio automatically.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a normal BUN/Creatinine ratio?
A: The normal range is typically between 10:1 and 20:1, though this can vary slightly between laboratories.

Q2: What does a high ratio indicate?
A: A ratio above 20:1 may suggest prerenal causes such as dehydration, heart failure, or gastrointestinal bleeding.

Q3: What does a low ratio indicate?
A: A ratio below 10:1 may suggest intrinsic renal disease, low protein intake, or advanced liver disease.

Q4: Are there limitations to this ratio?
A: Yes, the ratio can be affected by factors such as diet, muscle mass, liver function, and certain medications.

Q5: Should this ratio be used alone for diagnosis?
A: No, the BUN/creatinine ratio should be interpreted in the context of other clinical findings and laboratory values.