Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP): Purpose & Results

A comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) is a group of blood tests that provide your doctor with information about your overall health and metabolism. Read on to learn about what doctors look for, how to prepare for the test, and what your results mean.

What is a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)?

A comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), or chemical screen, is a panel of 14 blood tests commonly ordered by doctors to screen for health issues during yearly physical exams. A CMP provides a rough overview of:

• Kidney and liver function
• Blood sugar (glucose) levels
• Electrolyte and acid/base fluid balance
• The amount of proteins in the blood

This test is also regularly used to monitor disease progression in patients with diabetes or high blood pressure, as well as liver and kidney damage in patients taking certain medications (e.g., acetaminophen, statins, opioids, antibiotics).

How is the CMP Different from the BMP?

The CMP is an expanded version of the basic metabolic panel (BMP). The BMP consists of only 8 tests (not including liver or protein tests) [1].

While both tests provide a broad screen of overall health and metabolism, a doctor may order a CMP instead of a BMP to get a more complete picture of a person’s organ function or to check for specific conditions, such as diabetes, liver or kidney disease.

What is Included in a CMP Blood Test?

• Albumin
• Carbon Dioxide (Bicarbonate)
• Calcium
• Potassium
• Sodium
• Chloride
• Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
• Creatinine
• Glucose
• Total Bilirubin
• Total Protein
• Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
• Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
• Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)