Comprehensive Metabolic Panel

A comprehensive metabolic panel is a group of blood tests. They provide an overall picture of your body's chemical balance and metabolism. Metabolism refers to all the physical and chemical processes in the body that use energy.

Why the Test is Performed

This test gives your health care provider information about:

How your kidneys and liver are working
Blood sugar and calcium levels
Sodium, potassium, and chloride levels (called electrolytes)
Protein levels

Your provider may order this test to check you for side effects of medicines or diabetes, or for liver or kidney disease.

Normal Results

Normal values for the panel tests are:

Albumin: 3.4 to 5.4 g/dL
Alkaline phosphatase: 20 to 130 U/L
ALT (alanine aminotransferase): 4 to 36 U/L
AST (aspartate aminotransferase): 8 to 33 U/L
BUN (blood urea nitrogen): 6 to 20 mg/dL

Calcium: 2.13 to 2.55 mmol/L
Chloride: 96 to 106 mmol/L
CO2 (carbon dioxide): 23 to 29 mmol/L
Creatinine: 0.6 to 1.3 mg/dL
Glucose: 3.9 to 5.6 mmol/L

Potassium: 3.70 to 5.20 mmol/L
Sodium: 135 to 145 mmol/L
Total bilirubin: 0.1 to 1.2 mg/dL
Total protein: 6.0 to 8.3 g/dL

Normal values for creatinine can vary with age.

Normal value ranges for all tests may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or may test different specimens. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Abnormal results can be due to a variety of different medical conditions. These may include kidney failure, liver disease, breathing problems, and diabetes or diabetes complications.

References

1. Chernecky CC, Berger BJ. Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) - blood. In: Chernecky CC, Berger BJ, eds. Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures. 6th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:372.

2. McPherson RA, Pincus MR. Disease/organ panels. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 23rd ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2017:appendix 7.

3. Review Date: 1/26/2019.

4. Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. 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.