Comprehensive metabolic panel

The comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP; CPT code 80053) is a standard suite of 14 blood tests which serves as an initial broad screening tool for physicians. Because it is often ordered as a routine part of an annual physical examination or check up, over time the CMP provides an important baseline of a patient's basic physiology. Any changes or abnormal results, and in particular combinations of abnormal results, thus provides important initial data for differential diagnosis, in which case more specialized tests may be indicated. In and of itself, however, the CMP provides an important if gross check on the status of kidney function, liver function, and electrolyte and fluid balance.

In addition to being used at routine physicals of healthy patients, the CMP is routinely administered to monitor the status of a patient with a chronic disease, such as diabetes mellitus or hypertension.

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Testing

Typically, the patient fasts for ten or twelve hours before the blood is drawn for the test. The following tests are then performed:^[1]

General tests

These tests help screen for a wide variety of problems. The glucose test in particular helps screen for diabetes mellitus and pre-diabetes.

Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT or GTT)
Calcium

Protein tests

Tests of protein levels in the blood help screen for both kidney and liver disorders.

Electrolytes

Electrolyte levels and the balance among them are tightly regulated by the body. Both individual values and ratios among the values are significant; abnormalities among either can indicate problems such as an electrolyte disturbance, acid-base imbalance, or kidney dysfunction.

Kidney function assessment

Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
Creatinine

Liver function assessment

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
Alanine amino transferase (AST or SGPT)
Aspartate amino transferase (ASP or SGOT)
Bilirubin

References

^ Comprehensive Metabolic Panel. Lab Tests Online (October 31, 2005). Retrieved on 2007-07-21.