What is comprehensive metabolic panel

Your healthcare provider may also order other tests to look at how well your liver and kidneys are working. These tests may include:. Your healthcare provider may also order other blood tests to check for iron deficiency, anemia, and other disorders:. Test results may vary depending on your age, gender, health history, the method used for the test, and other things. Your test results may not mean you have a problem. Ask your healthcare provider what your test results mean for you.

Normal findings may be different depending on the laboratory used. Commonly used ranges for the 14 tests are:. If your results are abnormal or you have a combination of abnormal levels, it may mean you have a health problem, such as diabetes, liver disease, or kidney disease. You may need more tests to confirm or rule out specific conditions. The test is done with a blood sample.

A needle is used to draw blood from a vein in your arm or hand. Having a blood test with a needle carries some risks. These include bleeding, infection, bruising, and feeling lightheaded. When the needle pricks your arm or hand, you may feel a slight sting or pain.

Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others. Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:. Comprehensive metabolic panel CMP - blood.

Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; appendix 7. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.

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What are some conditions that an abnormal range might signify? A protein that moves molecules, such as calcium and medicine, through your blood and keeps blood from leaking into the tissue.

Alkaline Phosphatase ALP. A protein in all body tissues, with higher concentrations in your liver, bile ducts, and bone. Alanine Transaminase ALT. An enzyme a protein that causes chemical changes in your body that's in higher concentrations in your liver. Aspartate Aminotransferase AST. An enzyme that's in higher concentrations in your liver, heart, and muscles.

The result of protein being broken down in your blood by your kidneys. A mineral that helps all of the cells in your body work properly, which is also important for strong bones and teeth and heart function. An electrolyte that helps maintain your body fluids. Carbon Dioxide CO2. A chemical that is a result of your metabolism processes that break down energy. A chemical that is a waste product of creatine, which supplies energy to your muscles.

A major source of energy for the cells in your body, such as your brain cells. A mineral that helps your nerves communicate with your muscles and moves nutrients and waste products to and from the cells in your body. A substance that helps maintain the amount of water in your body.

Total Bilirubin. Old red blood cells that have been replaced by new ones, which are removed from the body in the stool. Keep in mind — just because your comprehensive metabolic panel shows that one of the chemicals in your blood isn't within the normal range doesn't necessarily mean anything is wrong.

Be sure to go over your results with your physician so they can explain what they mean and if you might need further testing. There are plenty of advanced and effective ways to test for illness and disease. The benefit of a blood test, however, is that it's quick and simple — and there are very few risks. More importantly, the detailed breakdown that a comprehensive metabolic panel can provide helps your physician determine if the chemicals in your body are working as they should.

This simple test allows them to see if your organs, from your kidneys to your liver to your heart, are doing what they need to in order to keep you healthy. The 10 minutes you spend at your physician's office for your blood test — and the informative snapshot of your body that it provides — may end up saving your life.