What does creatinine of 2.4 and BUN 50 mean? -

My grandmother who is 84 years old is normally pretty active (still works part-time) and who lives alone had a recent abnormal lab value. She had a creatinine of 2.4 and BUN of 50. I am scared for her. We discovered this values after taking her to the doctor for a congested cough and some disorentation. She was diagnosed with quot;a bad case of bronchitisquot;. She has a history of diabetes and hypertension. She has no symptoms related to her kidneys. Do these levels get this elevated from just dehydration or does she has something underlying? As far as I know all of her electrolytes were okay with the expetion of a slightly hight potassium. If anyone, can give me some advice or an opinion on her lab values I would appreciate it. Thanks

Elevated BUN and creatinine indicates kidney disease. However as you note it can be due to dehydration although her other electrolytes like sodium would be out of whack if she was dehydrated. The BUN creatinine would improve with hydration if she were dehydrated. With a history of diabetes and HTN at her age it is not surprising for her to have some renal insufficiency. Speak to the doctor to find out if this is concerning for chronic renal disease or if its due to dehydration.