A chem 6 panel is a blood test that is commonly ordered to check the functions of certain organs or confirm a diagnosis by evaluating your body’s metabolism. Unlike a basic metabolic panel, however, also called a “chem 8,” a chem 6 panel does not include tests for certain compounds like glucose, commonly associated with metabolic syndrome.
You can have blood drawn for many reasons, but no matter the reason, the blood sample you give has a similar journey to go on. It leaves your exam room and travels either to an on-site lab or another testing site where it is examined for the compounds your doctor wants to analyze.
Blood tests can be ordered for routine annual checkups, as part of a diagnostic procedure, or to evaluate the progress of your current treatment. Accurately interpreting your results is crucial to planning your treatment, which is why you should always take your blood work back to the doctor that ordered it to figure out what you should do next.