What Is a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel?

Question: What Is a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel?

Answer: A metabolic workup, also called a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), is a set of 14 blood tests done that gives information on the health of a person's kidneys and liver, and also tests blood sugar, blood proteins, and electrolytes (minerals in the body).

The workup -- which goes by many names, including chemistry panel and metabolic panel -- can be helpful in pinning down what's causing a person's illness or disease, or to monitor a chronic disease such as high blood pressure or kidney disease. It is also often ordered as part of a routine physical or yearly exam. The blood sample used for the CMP is usually taken from the patient after a 10 to 12 hour fast.

The tests included in a metabolic workup are:

• Blood sugar (glucose)
• Albumin (a blood protein)
• Total blood protein
• Electrolyes: sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, CO2
• Kidney tests: BUN, creatinine
• Liver function tests: ALP (alkaline phosphatase), ALT (alanine amino transferase, also called SGPT), AST (aspartate amino transferase, also called SGOT), bilirubin

As part of a metabolic workup, the doctor may order additional blood tests such as:

• CBC (complete blood cell count)
• Fasting blood test for triglycerides and cholesterol
• Thyroid tests
• CPK (creatine phosphokinase)
• Vitamin B12 level
• Ammonia (ammonium ion test)

_Source:

_{"Comprehensive Metabolic Panel." Lab Tests Online. 18 Mar 2009. American Association for Clinical Chemistry. 17 Jul 2009}