Maintaining proper nutrition (eating enough protein daily) can effect your BUN. The monthly blood (serum) test for albumin, which also appears on your lab report, provides a valuable check on nutritional status. The serum albumin should be above 3.8 g/dl. Serum albumin levels may vary due to other conditions. For example, if you are still making urine with a lot of protein in it then you could have a subnormal albumin level. You need to discuss any subnormal albumin levels with your doctor or dietitian to determine the cause and appropriate response.

Patients who are maintaining proper nutrition and being well-dialyzed should not be losing weight or suffering from a poor appetite. If you are well-dialyzed and are still losing weight then another cause should be sought. If you are experiencing other symptoms you should speak with your doctor and dietitian about these symptoms and the appropriate steps that should be taken to diagnose the problem.