Creatinine is a product of creatine, which is found in muscles. Therefore, creatinine basically reflects how much muscle mass you have. Males typically have higher creatinine levels than females, and creatinine levels in adults are fairly consistent. BUN is short for blood urea nitrogen. BUN is a measure for urea nitrogen from the breakdown on proteins. The liver metabolizes protein and produces urea in the blood that is sent to the kidneys to be excreted.
Reason for Testing
Creatinine and BUN are usually measured to check kidney function. Both are filtered by the kidney and excreted from the body by urine. If kidney function is suspected to be impaired, testing blood creatinine and BUN are often prescribed by a medical professional. Certain medications can impact the levels of creatinine and BUN, so a physician should know if you're taking any medications before the tests are administered.
Normal Levels
Normal levels of creatinine are 0.8 to 1.4 mg/dL. Creatinine levels hardly change from day to day because they're related to the amount of lean muscle mass in the body. Normal levels for BUN are around 7 to 20 mg/dL. BUN levels can be impacted by protein in the diet, hydration, fever or liver function.
Reasons for a High Level
The main reason creatinine may be high is due to an impaired kidney function. Other reasons can include muscular dystrophy, pregnancy induced hypertension or congestive heart failure. Varied factors such as diet, gastrointestinal bleeding and liver function can impact BUN. Elevated levels can signify a gastrointestinal leak, congestive heart failure, heart attack, impaired kidney function or an unusual increase dietary protein.
Reasons for a Low Level
Low creatinine levels can suggest muscular dystrophy or myasthenia gravis, as both conditions decrease muscle mass. As people age, muscle mass naturally decreases, so creatinine levels are usually lower in the elderly population. Low levels of BUN can indicate liver failure, low protein diet, overhydration or general malnutrition.
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