CMP Vs. BMP: What's The Difference Between The Two Blood Panels?

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What’s the Difference Between a CMP and BMP, the Two Common Blood Tests Ordered by Doctor?

Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M.D. — Written by Tim Jewell — Updated on May 5, 2018

Collection
Uses
CMP measurements
Normal ranges
Cost
Outlook

A basic metabolic panel (BMP) measures the essential metabolic components of your blood. A comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) measures substances produced by your liver in addition to the basic components of a BMP.

The basic metabolic panel (BMP) and comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) tests are both blood tests that measure levels of certain substances in your blood.

A doctor may order either a BMP or CMP during a physical or check-up. Abnormally elevated levels of one or more substances in your blood may result from a condition that can be treated.

These tests are used for different reasons. A BMP test gives your doctor information about:

blood urea nitrogen (BUN), or how much nitrogen is in your blood to measure kidney function
creatinine, another indicator of kidney function
glucose, or blood sugar (having high or low blood sugar could both indicate pancreatic issues)
carbon dioxide (CO2), or bicarbonate, a gas that can indicate issues with your kidneys or lungs
calcium, which can indicate bone, kidney, or thyroid issues (though sometimes not included in a BMP)
sodium and potassium, minerals that indicates your body’s overall fluid balance
chloride, an electrolyte that indicates fluid balance

A CMP test includes all the previous tests as well as tests for:

albumin, a protein that can indicate liver or kidney issues
total protein, which accounts for overall blood protein levels
alkaline phosphatase (ALP), a liver enzyme that can indicate liver or bone conditions
alanine amino transferase (ALT or SGPT), an enzyme in your kidneys and liver that can indicate liver damage
aspartate amino transferase (AST or SGOT), an enzyme in liver and heart cells that can also indicate liver damage
bilirubin, created when your liver naturally breaks down red blood cells

Read on to learn more about how blood samples are collected, how to understand the test results, and how much these tests might cost.

How and where are blood samples collected?

Many medical facilities are licensed to collect blood. But your doctor will most likely refer you to a laboratory that specializes in blood tests.

To take a blood sample, your doctor or a laboratory technician uses a needle to remove a small amount of blood and store it in a tube for analysis. This process is known as venipuncture. One blood sample can be used to test for all 14 substance.

Before either of these tests, you’ll need to fast. What you eat and drink can affect the levels of many substances in your blood, and fasting ensures an accurate measurement not affected by food.

If you’re sensitive to needles or the sight of blood, have someone take you to the lab so that you can safely return afterward.

What are these tests used for?

The BMP is primarily used to look for:

electrolyte imbalance
abnormal blood sugar
how well your blood is being filtered

Abnormal levels can indicate kidney or heart conditions.

The CMP also measures levels of substances produced by your liver. It can indicate:

how well your liver is functioning
what the protein levels are in your blood

Additional measurements in a CMP

The additional substances measured by the CMP test essentially allow a closer look at your liver function and its relation to your bones and other organs. This test may be chosen over the BMP if:

your doctor believes you may have a liver condition
you’re already being treated for a liver condition and your doctor wants to monitor the results of treatment

How do I read the results?

Results from a BMP are as follows. High or low levels of each of these components can indicate underlying conditions.

Test	Normal range by age (in years)
BUN	• 16–20 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) of blood (18–60)• 8–23 mg/dL (over 60)
creatinine	• 0.9–1.3 mg/dL (men 18–60)• 0.8–1.3 mg/dL (men over 60)• 0.6–1.1 (women 18–60)• 0.6–1.2 mg/dL (women over 60)
glucose	• 70–99 mg/dL (all ages)
albumin	• 3.4–5.4 grams per deciliter (g/dL) (all ages)
CO2	• 23–29 milliequivalent units per liter of blood (mEq/L) (18–60)• 23–31 mEq/L (61–90)• 20–29 mEq/L (over 90)
calcium	• 8.6–10.2 mg/dL (all ages)
sodium	• 136–145 mEq/L (18–90)• 132–146 mEq/L (over 90)
potassium	• 3.5–5.1 mEq/L (all ages)
chloride	• 98–107 mEq/L (18–90)• 98–111 (over 90)

BUN

High levels may mean that you have kidney problems, which could include kidney failure or glomerulonephritis, an infection of the part of your kidneys’ blood filters (the glomeruli).

Low levels can mean you’re not getting enough protein in your diet or you have a liver condition.

Creatinine

High levels may mean that you have muscle or kidney conditions, or preeclampsia, a dangerous condition that can happen during pregnancy.

Low levels may mean that your muscles are abnormally weak.

Blood sugar

High levels may mean you have diabetes, pancreatic conditions, or abnormal thyroid enlargement.

Low levels can mean that your thyroid, pituitary, or adrenal glands aren’t functioning properly.

Albumin

Having high albumin isn’t common. Low levels can result from not getting enough protein, having liver or kidney conditions, or having recently had bariatric surgery to lose weight.

CO2

High levels can mean you’re not breathing properly or that you’re having issues with your metabolism or hormones.

Low levels can mean that you have a kidney condition, poison in your blood, or too much acid in your body (acidosis).

Calcium

High levels can mean that you have a type of parathyroid gland cancer.

Low levels may mean that you have:

pancreatic issues
liver or kidney failure
parathyroid dysfunction
lack of vitamin D in your blood

Sodium

High levels can mean that you have:

Cushing’s syndrome, which results from too much cortisol in your blood for an extended period
diabetes insipidus, a type of diabetes that makes you extremely thirsty and urinate more than usual

Low levels can mean that you:

are dehydrated
have vomited recently
have kidney, heart, or liver failure
have syndrome of inappropriate hormone secretion (SIADH)
have Addison’s disease, which happens when your adrenal gland doesn’t get enough hormones

Potassium

High levels can mean that you have a kidney condition or issues with heart function.

Low levels can result from hormonal issues or from taking a diuretic to help pass fluid waste.

Chloride

High levels can mean that your kidneys aren’t filtering enough acid from your body.

Low levels can result from Addison’s disease, dehydration, or congestive heart failure (CHF).

ALP

High levels can indicate:

Paget’s disease
bile duct blockage
gallbladder inflammation
gallstones
hepatitis
cirrhosis

Low levels may result from:

heart surgery
zinc deficiency
malnourishment
bone metabolism disorders

ALT

High levels can indicate:

hepatitis
liver cancer
cirrhosis
liver damage

Low ALT levels are normal.

AST

High AST levels can indicate:

mononucleosis (or mono)
hepatitis
cirrhosis
pancreatitis
heart conditions

Low AST levels are normal.

Bilirubin

High levels can indicate:

Gilbert’s syndrome, a harmless condition where your body doesn’t produce enough of an enzyme to lower bilirubin levels
abnormal red blood cell destruction (hemolysis)
adverse medication reactions
hepatitis
bile duct blockage

How much do these tests cost?

Both the BMP and CMP tests may be free as part of your health insurance plan’s preventive care coverage, which is often covered at 100 percent. One test per year may be fully covered, but further tests may only be partially covered or not covered at all.

Costs without insurance may vary widely.

BMP: $10–$100
CMP:$200–$250

Takeaway

The CMP tests additional liver substances, so you may not need a CMP test if your doctor isn’t concerned about your liver function. The BMP test is likely enough if you simply want a basic overview of the essential metabolic components of your blood.

If your doctor suspects a liver condition or finds abnormal values in your BMP test, you may need the CMP to diagnose an underlying condition that must be treated.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Adrenal insufficiency and Addison’s disease.(2014).https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/adrenal-insufficiency-addisons-disease
Basic metabolic panel (blood). (2018).https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid=basic_metabolic_panel_blood
Basic metabolic panel (BMP). (2015).https://labtestsonline.org/tests/basic-metabolic-panel-bmp
Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP). (2015).https://labtestsonline.org/tests/comprehensive-metabolic-panel-cmp
Huckaby MD, et al. (2017). Predictive variablesfor abnormal comprehensive metabolic panel testing and potential cost savingsin children receiving pediatric emergency department care. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/PEC.0000000000001119
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Lewis JL. (2018). Metabolic acidosis.https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/endocrine-and-metabolic-disorders/acid-base-regulation-and-disorders/metabolic-acidosis
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2016). Guide to types ofweight loss surgery.https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/gastric-bypass-surgery/in-depth/weight-loss-surgery/art-20045334
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2017). Diabetes insipidus.https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes-insipidus/symptoms-causes/syc-20351269
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Bilirubin test.https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/bilirubin/about/pac-20393041
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Glomerulonephritis.https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/glomerulonephritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20355705
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). High potassium(hyperkalemia).https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/hyperkalemia/basics/causes/sym-20050776
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Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M.D. — Written by Tim Jewell — Updated on May 5, 2018

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Nutrition

How and where are blood samples collected?

What are these tests used for?

Additional measurements in a CMP

How do I read the results?

BUN

Creatinine

Blood sugar

Albumin

CO2

Calcium

Sodium

Potassium

Chloride

ALP

ALT

AST

Bilirubin

How much do these tests cost?

Takeaway

How we reviewed this article:

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