NORMAL KIDNEY BUN & CREATININE LEVELS

A blood urea nitrogen, or BUN, and creatinine test are usually used in conjunction to measure kidney function, help diagnose kidney disease or monitor kidney status in those who have already been diagnosed with kidney disease. BUN and creatinine tests are often ordered when various signs and symptoms indicate that a kidney disorder might be present. NORMAL BUN When your body metabolizes protein, your liver produces nitrogen. Nitrogen combines with other molecules in your liver to form a waste product called urea. Urea travels through your bloodstream until it reaches your kidneys, where it is filtered out of the blood and deposited into your urine. Normally, the blood and urine both contain small amounts of urea because protein is constantly being metabolized in your body. Normal BUN values range from 7 to 20 mg/dL. ABNORMAL BUN High BUN values can indicate kidney disease, congestive heart failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, shock, kidney failure, hypovolemia, a heart attack or a urinary tract obstruction. Low BUN values may occur as a result of liver failure, malnutrition or over-hydration, which is a condition in which too much fluid accumulates in the body. NORMAL CREATININE Your muscles produce a waste product called creatinine when they break down a compound called creatine, which helps contract your muscles. Most of the creatinine in your body is removed by your

kidneys. Because of this, the levels of creatinine in your blood can indicate whether your kidneys are functioning properly. Normal creatinine values range from 0.8 to 1.4 mg/dL. Normal creatinine values for females are usually lower because females usually have a lower muscle mass. ABNORMAL CREATININE If your creatinine values are higher than normal, it can indicate kidney failure, glomerulonephritis, dehydration, urinary tract obstruction, diabetic nephropathy or reduced blood flow to the kidneys due to congestive heart failure or shock. Low creatinine values may occur as a result of muscular dystrophy or myasthenia gravis. BUN/CREATININE RATIO When a blood sample is tested, a doctor may evaluate the amount of BUN in your blood compared to the amount of creatinine, or the BUN/creatinine ratio. This ratio can be used to determine what type of kidney disease is causing abnormal levels of BUN or creatinine. Normal BUN/creatinine ratios fall between 10 to 1 and 20 to 1. An increased ratio can indicate congestive heart failure or dehydration. A decreased ratio can indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, liver disease or malnutrition.

LDL Cholesterol
LDL cholesterol can build up on the walls of your arteries and increase your chances of getting heart disease. That is why LDL cholesterol is referred to as "bad" cholesterol. The lower your LDL cholesterol number, the lower your risk. The table below explains what the numbers mean. LDL Cholesterol LDL-Cholesterol Category Less than 100 100 - 129 130 - 159 160 - 189 190 and above Optimal Near optimal/above optimal Borderline high High Very high

If you have heart disease or blood vessel disease, some experts recommend that you should try to get your LDL cholesterol below 70. For people with diabetes or other multiple risk factors for heart disease, the treatment goal is to reach an LDL of less than 100, although some physicians will be more aggressive.

VLDL

very low density lipoproteins. The typical range is from zero to 40 mg/dl. The link between VLDL and heart disease risk is less well established.

HDL Cholesterol
When it comes to HDL cholesterol -- "good" cholesterol -- the higher the number, the lower your risk. This is because HDL cholesterol protects against heart disease by taking the "bad" cholesterol out of your blood and keeping it from building up in your arteries. The table below explains what the numbers mean. HDL Cholesterol 60 and above HDL-Cholesterol Category High; Optimal; associated with lower risk

Less than 40 in men and less than 50 in women Low; considered a risk factor for heart disease

Normal Cholesterol Levels Chart

Cholesterol Numbers Table Cholesterol Testing Guidelines

Total Cholesterol Test

-

Normal Borderline <200 200-239

Too High 240

Very High 280

Notes
milligrams per deciliter Reduce saturated fat 240 = twice risk than at 200.

1. Total Cholesterol

Very Too
Borderline

Normal -

Low

Low 36 - 39 <35 40 - 59 35 - 45 >60 >45

-

2. HDL
(normal risk group) (high risk group)

<35 -

Good Cholesterol Higher is better Can't be too High

Total Lipids Test

-

Normal Borderline <200 200-239

Too High 240

Very High 280

Notes
milligrams per deciliter Reduce saturated fat 240 = twice risk than at 200.

1. Total Cholesterol

Very Low Too Low 36 - 39 <35

Borderline

Normal >60 >45

2. HDL
(normal risk group) (high risk group) -

<35

40 - 59 35 - 45

Good Cholesterol Higher is better Can't be too High -

Normal Borderline 100 129 130-159

Too High 160 189

Very High 190 Up Bad Cholesterol Lower is better. Can't be too Low -

3. LDL 70 - 100

Normal Borderline 3 to 1 4 to 1 5 to 1

Too High 6 to 1

Very High 7 to 1 Total Cholesterol / HDL

4. Cholesterol Ratio

Triglyceride Test

Normal Borderline <150 <200 150-199 200 - 400

Too High 200 499 400 Up

-

Very High 500 Up

Notes
Must fast 12 hours before testing drink only water.

5. Triglycerides
(low risk group) -

Green background = Good

Violet background = Bad