Basic Metabolic Panel

The basic metabolic panel is a group of blood tests that provides information about your body's metabolism.

A blood sample is needed. Most of the time blood is drawn from a vein located on the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand.

You should not eat or drink for 8 hours before the test.

This test is done to evaluate:

Kidney function
Blood acid/base balance
Blood sugar levels
In some cases, the test also is used to check blood levels of calcium and a protein called albumin.

Normal Results

The following are normal ranges for the blood chemicals tested:

  • ATVIVO Laboratory

    BUN: 7 to 20 mg/dL

  • ATVIVO Laboratory

    CO2 (carbon dioxide): 20 to 29 mmol/L

  • ATVIVO Laboratory

    Creatinine: 0.8 to 1.2 mg/dL

  • ATVIVO Laboratory

    Glucose: 64 to 100 mg/dL

  • ATVIVO Laboratory

    Serum chloride: 101 to 111 mmol/L

  • ATVIVO Laboratory

    Serum potassium: 3.7 to 5.2 mmol/L

  • ATVIVO Laboratory

    Serum sodium: 136 to 144 mmol/L

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your health care provider about the meaning
of your specific test results.

The examples above show the common measurements for results for these tests. Some laboratories use different measurements or may test different specimens.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Abnormal results can be due to a variety of different medical conditions, including kidney failure, breathing problems, diabetes or diabetes-related complications, and medicine side effects. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your results from each test.

The basic metabolic panel typically measures these substances in a sample of blood:

  • ATVIVO Laboratory

    BUN (blood urea nitrogen)

  • ATVIVO Laboratory

    Creatinine

  • ATVIVO Laboratory

    CO2 (carbon dioxide)

  • ATVIVO Laboratory

    Glucose

  • ATVIVO Laboratory

    Serum chloride

  • ATVIVO Laboratory

    Serum potassium

  • ATVIVO Laboratory

    Serum sodium

ATVIVO Laboratory

References

1. Bope ET, Kellerman RD. Endocrine and metabolic disorders. In: Bope ET, Kellerman RD, eds. Conn's Current Therapy 2017. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 5.

2. Oh MS, Briefel G. Evaluation of renal function, water, electrolytes, and acid-base balance. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 23rd ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2017:chap 14.

3. Review Date: 5/21/2017

4. Updated by: Laura J. Martin, MD, MPH, ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Atlanta, GA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

The medical information provided is for informational purposes only and is not to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please contact your health care provider with questions you may have regarding medical conditions or the interpretation of test results.