BUN-to-Creatinine Ratio
Panel: Metabolic, Kidney & Electrolytes · All metabolic & kidney tests
Typical adult reference range
| Conventional units | 10–20 ratio |
| SI units | 10–20 ratio |
Ranges vary between laboratories and methods — compare your result with the range printed on your own report.
What a high or low result can mean
High bun-to-creatinine ratio: a high ratio can be seen in dehydration and other prerenal states.
Low bun-to-creatinine ratio: a low ratio may occur with low protein intake or some intrinsic kidney conditions.
These are associations, not a diagnosis: the same result can have several causes, and your clinician interprets it with the rest of your results and history.
Good to know
Calculated from the BUN and creatinine results.
◆ Kidney note
This test is closely tied to kidney health, and it is one a kidney specialist (nephrologist) watches closely. On this site, kidney-related results are a special focus: see the kidney and dialysis medicines in our Drug Guide and the kidney condition hubs for the wider picture.