What to Look for in a Blood Panel
Lindsay Knake
| 3 min read
Lindsay Knake is a brand journalist for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
Your primary care physician may order a blood panel for you each year to assess your health, but what should you look for when you get the results?
There are two common panels, the basic metabolic panel (BMP) and the comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP). Your doctor may order one or the other during an annual physical to assess your general health and check for any common health conditions, according to the Cleveland Clinic. You also may receive an order for a panel if you are monitoring a chronic condition or if you experience unusual health symptoms such as fatigue, breathing issues or confusion.
What is a basic metabolic panel?
In an annual physical, your doctor may order a (BMP), which measures eight substances in your blood:
- Blood urea nitrogen: A measure of a waste product your kidneys remove from your blood.
- Calcium: This mineral in your bones and blood is part of the healthy function of your heart, muscles and nerves.
- Creatinine: A byproduct of muscle activity your kidneys remove from your blood.
- Electrolytes: The panel will test for sodium, potassium, bicarbonate and chloride.
- Glucose: Also known as blood sugar, glucose provides you with energy. Elevated levels can be a sign of diabetes.
What is the comprehensive metabolic panel?
The CMP is another common blood panel. This panel includes the eight tests in the BMP and has an additional six tests:
- Total protein: A measurement of the proteins albumin and globulins, which support blood vessel and immune system function.
- Bilirubin: A waste product from the breakdown of red blood cells that your liver removes.
- Albumin: A protein from your liver that transports substances through your bloodstream.
- Liver enzymesalkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase.
Both blood panels typically require you to fast for 8-12 hours before the blood draw.
What do I look for in the results of the test?
The blood panel results typically provide the names of the substances measured, the measurement of your results, a normal measurement range for the test and whether your result is high or low. The measurements are in grams per deciliter (g/dL), milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L) or millimoles per liter (mmol/L).
The measurements in the blood panels check for:
- Kidney function
- Blood acidity and base balance
- Sugar levels
- Fluid and electrolyte balance
- Liver function (CMP only)
- Protein in blood (CMP only)
If you have any abnormal results, it doesn’t necessarily mean there is something wrong. Medications, dehydration, a recent meal, stress and various health conditions can affect the results. About 1 in 20 people have an abnormal result in their tests but no medical problem, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Your physician will talk to you about the results and determine whether you need any further tests.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network members can find a doctor near them by using the Find a Doctor tool, available on both bcbsm.com and the BCBSM mobile app.
Image: Getty Images
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