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A comprehensive or complete metabolic panel is a routine blood test. It covers 14 different substances including glucose, calcium, and creatinine (a measure of kidney health). This test is routine for adult patients and is typically ordered alongside an annual checkup or physical. The test screens for a variety of conditions and helps measure your overall health.
Longer Description
A complete metabolic panel is a routine blood test that covers 14 different substances. These substances potentially indicate certain chronic conditions, such as diabetes and high cholesterol, before you experience symptoms. It is typically ordered alongside a routine physical and is valuable to all adults.
The substances tested include glucose/blood sugar, calcium, sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, chloride, albumin, total protein, ALP, ALT, AST, bilirubin, and BUN. Levels of these substances show things about the health of your liver and kidneys, your metabolism, and your fluid and electrolyte balance. In addition to routine physicals, a CMP may be ordered if you have certain symptoms, such as weight gain, or to help guide treatment for a disease and check if its working.
Some medications can affect the results of a CMP. These include diuretics, steroids, and insulin. Depending on the medication, your doctor may advise you to hold off on taking it until after the blood test. Your results are also going to change if you are pregnant. You should fast for ten to twelve hours before the test, but drink plenty of water as dehydration can affect results (for example, dehydration can raise the level of creatinine in your blood, causing a false positive for kidney problems). Dehydration can also make it harder for the lab technician to take the sample.
A CMP is performed using a single blood sample. The only side effects are a small risk of pain and/or bruising at the sample site.