Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)

About the Test

Purpose of the test

The purpose of the CMP is to conduct a broad assessment of various aspects of physical well-being. With 14 measurements, it can detect a range of abnormalities in blood sugar, nutrient balance, and liver and kidney health.

Depending on the situation, a CMP can be employed for the following reasons:

• Diagnosis happens after symptoms have started and is the process used to determine the cause. Because it includes a collection of measurements, the CMP may be prescribed in the diagnosis of many different types of symptoms.
• Screening is attempting to find health problems before symptoms occur. The CMP may be prescribed as part of a routine health checkup to look for indications of underlying issues.
• Monitoring is the process of evaluating how a patient’s situation changes. A CMP can be used to see if test levels go up or down over time, including after treatment. The test can also check for side effects of medications, especially those that have the potential to affect the liver or kidneys.

What does the test measure?

The CMP includes 14 separate measurements that are conducted with the same blood sample:

• Alanine aminotransferase: (ALT) is an enzyme primarily found in the liver.
• Albumin: is a protein produced in the liver that transports important substances through the body and also keeps fluid from leaking out of blood vessels.
• Alkaline phosphatase: (ALP) is an enzyme found in tissues throughout the body. It supports numerous biological processes and is most concentrated in the liver and bones.
• Aspartate aminotransferase:(AST) is an enzyme present in the liver and other tissues of the body.
• Bicarbonate: is an electrolyte that reflects the level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in your blood.
• Bilirubin: is a waste product that is yellowish in color and is produced from the breakdown of red blood cells. The liver plays a central role in eliminating bilirubin from the body.
• Blood urea nitrogen :(BUN) is a measurement of urea nitrogen, a waste material that the kidneys help eliminate from the blood.
• Calcium: is a critical mineral that enables bone health, the functioning of muscles, and the cardiovascular and nervous systems. The main sources of calcium are dietary, but the mineral’s levels in the blood do not normally fluctuate based on diet. Instead, calcium in the blood is usually drawn from being stored in the bones.
• Chloride: is another electrolyte that functions along with sodium, potassium, and bicarbonate to enable a wide range of processes in the body.
• Creatinine: is a by-product of normal muscle activity, a waste product normally filtered and removed from the blood by the kidneys.
• Glucose: is a type of sugar that provides energy for the brain and body. This is also known as blood sugar and may be elevated with metabolic problems like diabetes.
• Potassium: is an electrolyte present in all tissues of the body and that comes from the foods you eat.
• Sodium: is a type of compound known as an electrolyte; these minerals promote healthy fluid levels and acid-base balance in the body. They also facilitate proper muscle and nerve function. Most sodium comes from your diet, and the kidneys help regulate your body’s sodium levels.
• Total protein: is a measurement of the sum of albumin and globulins, which are proteins related to blood vessels and immune function.

When should I get a CMP?

The CMP may be appropriate in a range of different circumstances.

For diagnostic purposes, it may be prescribed when you have symptoms connected to your:

• Kidney
• Liver
• Metabolism

It may also be helpful when you have a general symptom, such as fatigue, that can be caused by many different health conditions.

As a monitoring tool, a CMP may be prescribed if you had a prior abnormal test and the doctor wants to check if your levels remain abnormal.

A CMP can also be used after a treatment has been started to see how your blood levels have changed. For example, if you are starting a new medication that can alter kidney or liver function, the CMP may be a useful tool for making sure these organs are still working properly.

There are no clear guidelines for when the CMP should be used for screening in people without any symptoms or as an essential health screening. While many doctors prescribe the test as part of routine checkups, there is a lack of evidence showing that the benefits of such testing outweigh the risks, such as unnecessary costs and procedures.