What's this test for?

This test is ideal if you're experiencing symptoms like unusual fatigue, swelling, changes in urination, or if you have a condition like heart failure, dehydration, or gastrointestinal bleeding that could affect your kidneys. It helps figure out whether kidney-related symptoms are caused by reduced blood flow to the kidneys, a blockage, or another issue like liver disease. It's often used alongside other kidney markers to get a clearer picture of what's going on.

What happens after I get my results?

Your results will show up in your account with each value's normal range clearly explained, so you can see exactly where your BUN/creatinine ratio falls. If your ratio is outside the normal range, simple next steps might include drinking more water, cutting back on high-protein diets temporarily, or retesting in a few weeks to see if the number changes. You can download the standard lab report directly from your account at any time. The trends feature also lets you track this ratio over time, which is helpful if you're monitoring hydration, heart, or kidney-related concerns.

Who should consider this test?

This test is a good fit for people managing conditions like congestive heart failure, urinary tract blockages, gastrointestinal bleeding, or liver disease, since these all can shift the BUN/creatinine ratio in different directions. It's also useful if you've had abnormal kidney-related results before and want to understand the pattern better. Athletes or people on high-protein diets who want to check how their kidneys are handling extra protein load may also find this helpful.

What symptoms indicate I may need this test?

Symptoms like swelling in your legs or ankles, unusual fatigue, changes in how often or how much you urinate, or noticeable blood in your stool could point to a reason to check this ratio. Signs of dehydration, such as dizziness or a very dry mouth, are also common triggers. If you've been told you have heart failure or liver issues, this test can help track how those conditions are affecting your kidneys.

When will I get my results?

Results are typically ready within about 7 days of your lab visit. Once ready, they'll be uploaded straight to your account, and you'll get a notification so you can log in and review them right away.

How can I naturally support healthy kidney function?

Staying well hydrated is one of the simplest things you can do, since dehydration is a common reason for an elevated ratio. Eating a balanced diet with moderate protein intake, rather than very high or very low protein, can also help keep things steady. Limiting salty and processed foods supports healthy blood flow to your kidneys, and regular light exercise helps maintain good circulation overall.

What does a high BUN/creatinine ratio mean?

A high ratio often points to reduced blood flow to the kidneys, which can happen with dehydration, heart failure, or a urinary blockage. It can also happen with gastrointestinal bleeding or a high-protein diet, since these increase urea production. If your ratio is very high along with symptoms like severe swelling or trouble urinating, it's a good idea to seek medical care promptly.

What does a low BUN/creatinine ratio mean?

A low ratio can show up with liver disease, since the liver makes less urea when it isn't working well. It can also occur with a low-protein diet, muscle-wasting conditions, or during pregnancy. If your ratio is low and unexpected, it's worth looking at your diet and any liver-related symptoms you may have.

How often should I retest?

If your ratio comes back outside the normal range, retesting in 4-6 weeks after making lifestyle adjustments like improving hydration or adjusting protein intake is a reasonable approach. If you're managing an ongoing condition like heart failure or liver disease, retesting every few months can help you track trends. Use the trends feature in your account to see how your numbers change over time.

What should I do if my results are abnormal?

Start with the basics: increase water intake if you might be dehydrated, and take a look at how much protein you're eating. Keep an eye out for related symptoms like swelling, dark stools, or changes in urination, and retest after a few weeks to see if the number has shifted. If your result is significantly abnormal or you have concerning symptoms like severe swelling or difficulty urinating, seek medical care right away.

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short: In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want. If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test. Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout. If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want. When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system. Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way. You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy! If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

How do I know which test to get?

In the test options, find the test you want. If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option. Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.

When will my lab results be available?

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know. After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop! If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you. Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at support@privatemdlabs.com. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update. Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you. There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out. Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Do you accept health insurance?

Only HSA & FSA is accepted. Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts. This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

Can I cancel my order?

Yes. We get it – sometimes your needs change. As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order. If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com. You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

How can I find a lab location near me?

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached! You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp). Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

BUN/Creatinine Ratio Test - Kidney Function Check

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.

Long story short:

In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!

754-799-7833

[email protected]