High Bun/Creatinine Ratio

Question
My husband is a heart transplant patient (10 years out) with congestive heart failure and kidney problems.  His bun/creatinine ratio has been hovering around 18.4 but today it came back at 26.3.  Does this high of a ratio mean that he is getting closer to the point of having dialysis (the doctors have been telling us that we will have to start discussing this soon.)?


Answer
Hi Annette,



Thanks for your question on "Allexperts".



It would be important to know what are your husband's "kidney problems". The BUN/Creatinine ratio is of little value in diagnosis. I can help you more if I know his age, ethnicity and his serum creatinine in mg/dl.



Sincerely,



Dr. Shah