Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) Popular

The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) measures blood sugar (glucose) levels, electrolyte and fluid balance, kidney function, and liver function.

The 14 measurements included in the CMP help to provide a look at the overall health of the body and its metabolism and chemical balance. The CMP is useful in helping to diagnose certain conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease and hypertension. The CMP aids in determining how the liver and kidneys are functioning and where glucose, calcium, protein, sodium, potassium, and chloride levels stand.

The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel is a type of test that looks at your blood and measures its glucose levels, the balance of electrolytes and fluid, the kidney function, and the liver function.

The CMP can be used to diagnose diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease, hypertension, or it is often just used as part of a regular health examination.

What is Included in a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel?

The CMP blood test measures levels of:

• Albumin - Albumin is a protein made by the liver. Measuring levels of albumin is helpful in diagnosing liver disease. An albumin test measures how well your liver is making the proteins that your body needs.
• Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) - ALT is an enzyme found predominantly in the cells of the liver. When the liver is damaged, ALT rises.
• Alkaline Phosphatase - In conditions affecting the liver, damaged liver cells release increased amounts of ALP into the blood.
• Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) - AST is another liver enzyme that is useful in helping to diagnose liver diseases.  Unlike ALT, it can be elevated from other causes as well.
• Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) - Urea nitrogen is a byproduct from the breakdown of food proteins. A normal BUN level is between 7 and 20. As kidney function decreases, the BUN level rises.
• Calcium - Measuring calcium can help determine whether the kidneys are excreting the proper amount of calcium and can also help diagnose kidney stones.
• Carbon dioxide (Bicarbonate) - Your kidneys and lungs balance the levels of carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, and carbonic acid in the blood. Carbon dioxide levels can be used to help diagnose kidney disease.
• Chloride - Chloride is an electrolyte. An increased level of blood chloride may indicate kidney disease.
• Creatinine with estimated GFR - A waste product that comes from the normal wear and tear on muscles of the body. This test is a measure of how well the kidneys are removing wastes and excess fluid from the blood. The normal value for GFR is 90 or above, but may decrease with age. A GFR below 60 is a sign that the kidneys are not working properly. A GFR below 15 indicates kidney failure.
• Glucose - Also known as blood sugar, is the body's main source of energy, and is typically used by physicians to diagnose and monitor patients for prediabetes, diabetes (Type 1, Type 2, and gestational), hyperglycemia, and hypoglycemia.
• Potassium - Potassium is an electrolyte. High blood potassium can occur secondary to kidney disease.  Low blood potassium can happen with vomiting or diarrhea or the use of water pills.
• Sodium - Sodium is an electrolyte. Abnormal levels of sodium help to determine if the kidneys are properly removing sodium from the body.
• Total bilirubin - This test measures direct and indirect levels of bilirubin to calculate a total bilirubin value.  Excess bilirubin, caused by obstruction or an inflamed liver, can lead to jaundice. Jaundice can cause your skin and the whites of your eyes to yellow.
• Total protein - Total protein, the amount of protein in your blood, can help diagnose liver disease. The two main proteins found in the blood are globulins and albumin.

The CMP blood test additionally calculates levels of:

• Albumin/Globulin Ratio (calculated) - The A/G ratio is calculated from measured total protein, measured albumin, and calculated globulin (total protein - albumin) to help diagnose diseases.
• BUN/Creatinine Ratio (calculated) - The ratio of BUN to creatinine (BUN:creatinine) is usually between 10:1 and 20:1. An increased ratio may be due to a condition that causes a decrease in the flow of blood to the kidneys.
• Globulin (calculated) - Globulin is a protein made in your liver and helps the immune system fight infections. Low globulin levels can be a sign of liver damage or other conditions.

Does the Comprehensive Metabolic Panel Test for Thyroid? 

Though the Comprehensive Metabolic Panel may measure things that do indicate if your thyroid is struggling, it can not provide direct results.

If you are interested in the CMP but are still looking for thyroid results, we recommend the Standard Health Test Panel (CBC+CMP+UA+LP+TSH). This test provides an even more comprehensive look at your overall health. It determines if your thyroid's endocrine glands are secreting the proper amount of hormones. It measures your TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone), T4 (Thyroxine), T7 (Free T4 Index), and your T3 uptake (Triiodothyronine).

Does the CMP Include the Liver Function Test?

Yes, The CMP measures everything that the Liver Function Test measures. If you are taking the CMP, a Liver Function Test is not necessary.

The Liver Function Test (LFT) is also referred to as the Hepatic Function Test. Both the CMP and the LFT are blood test panels that measure certain proteins and enzymes related to the liver.

What is the Difference between the BMP vs the CMP?

The Basic Metabolic Panel performs nine different tests while the Comprehensive Metabolic Panel performs fourteen different tests.

The BMP is mainly directed towards kidney testing, glucose testing, and fluid/electrolyte balance testing while the CMP contains the added focus on liver testing.

Where can I take the CMP Test?

At Healthlabs.com, we have over 4,000 lab locations throughout the United States so you're sure to locate a lab near you.