Increased levels of which substance can indicate kidney distress?

Increased levels of BUN, which stands for blood urea nitrogen, can indicate kidney distress because BUN is a waste product formed in the liver after the body breaks down protein. Normally, the kidneys filter BUN from the blood, and it is then excreted in urine. When the kidneys are functioning properly, BUN levels remain within a normal range. However, if the kidneys are impaired or damaged, they may not adequately filter out BUN, leading to its accumulation in the bloodstream. Elevated BUN levels can be a sign of acute or chronic kidney dysfunction, dehydration, or conditions that lead to increased protein metabolism.

Chloride, phosphate, and hemoglobin levels may contribute to other clinical assessments, but they do not specifically relate to kidney function in the same direct way that BUN does. Chloride is primarily involved in maintaining electrical neutrality and fluid balance in the body. Phosphate levels can be influenced by a variety of factors including bone metabolism and are not as direct an indicator of kidney distress. Hemoglobin is a component of red blood cells that carries oxygen and does not serve as a direct measure of kidney function.