Comprehensive Metabolic Panel Test

Health care providers rely heavily on lab results such as blood tests to diagnose and treat many medical conditions. As a result, these diagnostic tests play a role in more than seven out of ten medical decisions. Fortunately, blood tests such as a comprehensive metabolic panel offer valuable data on the function of major body organs and biochemical processes. Not only can serious medical conditions be detected early, but a comprehensive metabolic panel can help you make lifestyle changes to improve your health and prevent disease.

What Is A Comprehensive Metabolic Panel?

A comprehensive metabolic panel provides critical information about how well your kidneys and liver function, and your electrolytes and acid-base balance. This quick and simple blood test gives a glimpse of your body’s chemistry and utilization of energy. Your health care provider may order this test instead of a basic metabolic panel because of your past medical history or a current need that would benefit from knowing more liver and protein tests.

The Components Of A Comprehensive Metabolic Panel

A comprehensive metabolic panel includes these fourteen tests:

Liver Tests

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme that has many crucial functions, including protecting your intestines against bacteria, aiding in digestion, and promoting bone formation.
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is an enzyme that helps transform proteins into energy for the liver.
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is an enzyme released into the bloodstream that reveals liver damage.
Bilirubin is a pigment produced during the normal and healthy breakdown of red blood cells.

Electrolyte Tests

Sodium helps regulate the amount of fluid in your blood and cells.
Potassium helps your heart keep a regular beating rhythm.
Chloride has many essential functions in your body, including maintaining normal blood pressure.
Bicarbonate is an electrolyte that is important in helping regulate respiration.

Kidney Tests

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) is a waste material eliminated from the blood by the kidneys.
Creatine is produced by muscle activity and is normally removed from the blood by the kidneys.

Protein Tests

Albumin is a major protein produced by the liver that helps prevent fluid loss from blood vessels.
Total protein is a measurement of all blood vessel and immune system proteins, including albumin.

Glucose Test

This test measures the amount of blood glucose or sugar that is vital to the healthy function of various organs such as the brain.

Calcium Test

This mineral is critical for healthy bones, muscles, heart, nerves, and hormone levels.

When Might You Need A Comprehensive Metabolic Panel?

Your health care provider may ask for a comprehensive metabolic panel to check the function of vital organs and processes that sustain a healthy life, including:

The comprehensive metabolic panel may be part of your regular check-up, or it may be used to diagnose or monitor certain medical conditions.

How Is The Test Performed?

Unless you have other blood tests performed the same day, you will not need to fast for the complete blood count test. Your mobile phlebotomist will prepare your arm and withdraw the blood. You may feel a slight pinch but no pain during the test. After the test, your provider places a small bandage over the withdrawal site, and your body quickly restores the small amount of withdrawn blood volume.

How To Prepare For The Test

Your health care professional will use a small needle to withdraw blood from your arm or hand. An elastic band placed around your arm causes the vein to enlarge prior to the placement of the needle. You may feel a slight needle stick that goes away quickly.

What Else Do I Need To Know?

*This content is for informational purposes only and is not meant to replace consulting with a healthcare professional. Please consult with your primary care physician or healthcare provider before engaging in any services offered by Speedy Sticks.