Lab Panel Guide

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)

The CMP is a panel of 14 tests that measures your blood sugar, kidney function, liver function, and electrolyte balance. It's commonly ordered for routine health screenings.

Educational Information Only

This guide explains what CMP tests measure. Normal ranges vary by lab. Many factors affect results including fasting status, medications, and time of day. Always discuss your results with a healthcare provider.

CMP vs BMP: What's the Difference?

The Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP) includes 8 tests: glucose, calcium, and electrolytes (sodium, potassium, CO2, chloride), plus kidney tests (BUN, creatinine).

The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) includes all BMP tests PLUS 6 liver tests: ALT, AST, ALP, bilirubin, albumin, and total protein.

Glucose

70 - 100 mg/dL (fasting)

Measures: Blood sugar level (usually fasting)

High: Diabetes, prediabetes, stress, medications, pancreatitis

Low: Insulin overdose, excessive alcohol, liver disease, adrenal insufficiency

ADA - Blood Glucose|Full test guide

Kidney Function

BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen)

7 - 20 mg/dL

Measures: Waste product filtered by kidneys

High: Kidney disease, dehydration, high protein diet, heart failure

Low: Liver disease, malnutrition, overhydration

National Kidney Foundation - BUN

Creatinine

0.7 - 1.3 mg/dL (men), 0.6 - 1.1 mg/dL (women)

Measures: Waste product from muscle metabolism filtered by kidneys

High: Kidney disease, dehydration, muscle damage, high meat intake

Low: Low muscle mass, pregnancy, severe liver disease

National Kidney Foundation - Creatinine|Full test guide

eGFR (estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate)

>90 mL/min/1.73m² (normal kidney function)

Measures: How well kidneys filter waste (calculated from creatinine)

High: N/A (higher is better)

Low: <60 = chronic kidney disease, <15 = kidney failure

National Kidney Foundation - eGFR

Liver Function

ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase)

7 - 56 U/L

Measures: Liver enzyme released when liver cells are damaged

High: Liver damage (hepatitis, fatty liver, alcohol), medications, muscle injury

Low: Usually not significant

Cleveland Clinic - ALT|Full test guide

AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase)

10 - 40 U/L

Measures: Enzyme found in liver, heart, and muscles

High: Liver damage, heart attack, muscle damage, medications

Low: Usually not significant

Cleveland Clinic - AST

ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase)

44 - 147 U/L

Measures: Enzyme found in liver, bones, kidneys

High: Liver disease, bile duct obstruction, bone disorders, pregnancy

Low: Malnutrition, zinc deficiency, hypothyroidism

MedlinePlus - ALP

Bilirubin (Total)

0.1 - 1.2 mg/dL

Measures: Yellow pigment from red blood cell breakdown

High: Liver disease, bile duct obstruction, hemolysis, Gilbert syndrome

Low: Usually not significant

Mayo Clinic - Bilirubin

Albumin

3.5 - 5.0 g/dL

Measures: Protein made by the liver

High: Dehydration

Low: Liver disease, kidney disease, malnutrition, inflammation

MedlinePlus - Albumin

Total Protein

6.0 - 8.3 g/dL

Measures: Albumin + globulins combined

High: Dehydration, chronic inflammation, multiple myeloma

Low: Liver disease, kidney disease, malnutrition

MedlinePlus - Total Protein

Electrolytes

Sodium

136 - 145 mEq/L

Measures: Electrolyte that regulates fluid balance

High: Dehydration, diabetes insipidus, excessive salt intake

Low: Excessive water intake, heart failure, SIADH, diuretics

Cleveland Clinic - Sodium

Potassium

3.5 - 5.0 mEq/L

Measures: Electrolyte critical for heart and muscle function

High: Kidney disease, ACE inhibitors, potassium supplements, hemolysis

Low: Diuretics, vomiting, diarrhea, low dietary intake

Cleveland Clinic - Potassium

Chloride

96 - 106 mEq/L

Measures: Electrolyte that maintains fluid balance with sodium

High: Dehydration, kidney disease, metabolic acidosis

Low: Vomiting, heart failure, metabolic alkalosis

MedlinePlus - Chloride

CO2 (Bicarbonate)

23 - 29 mEq/L

Measures: Electrolyte that indicates acid-base balance

High: Metabolic alkalosis, vomiting, lung disease

Low: Metabolic acidosis, kidney disease, diabetic ketoacidosis

MedlinePlus - CO2

Calcium

8.5 - 10.5 mg/dL

Measures: Mineral for bones, muscles, nerves, and heart

High: Hyperparathyroidism, cancer, vitamin D toxicity, dehydration

Low: Vitamin D deficiency, hypoparathyroidism, kidney disease

Cleveland Clinic - Calcium

When Is a CMP Ordered?

• Annual checkup — Routine health screening
• Diabetes monitoring — Track glucose and kidney function
• Medication monitoring — Statins, blood pressure meds, diuretics
• Kidney disease — Monitor creatinine, BUN, electrolytes
• Liver disease — Monitor enzymes, bilirubin, albumin
• Symptoms — Fatigue, nausea, confusion, swelling

Mayo Clinic - Comprehensive Metabolic Panel

Track Your Metabolic Health Over Time

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Related Resources

Diabetes Guide Kidney Disease Guide Glucose Test CBC Panel Lipid Panel