Do Corticosteroids Have An Effect On Kidneys?

Posted on Mon, 6 Jul 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 6 Jul 2015 Answered on

Tue, 28 Jul 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : What causes a low BUN? Can corticosteroids affect kidney function?

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Low blood urea nitrogen

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

The most common reasons for low bun are

1. malnourishment
2. liver failure
3. Few enzyme deficiencies

Corticosteroids usually increases bun and does not decrease it.

Please get back to me with your doubts so that I can help you in a more specific way

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (19 hours later)

I have been on steroids for adrenal insufficiency and they said they were affecting my kidney function/low BUN so I decreased steroids and my BUN went back to normal. I am wondering if that is the only reason? Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (14 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Steroids not the reason for low BUN

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for getting back, I am sorry for the short delay in my reply it was a very busy day at the hospital.

We as nephrologist do not worry much about low BUN. What is more important is serum creatinine. When we consider renal function it is never the BUN which is taken into consideration. So in my opinion your doctor must check on urine routine and serum creatinine to know whether or now steroid is affecting your kidneys. I wouldn't recommend you to taper steroids without letting your doctor know about it.

Low BUN is otherwise harmless and does not cause any problem. High BUN can cause a lot of symptoms like lethergy, loss of appetite, vomiting, etc

regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar