What Is a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel and Why Is It Done?
A comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) is a blood test that provides information about a person’s liver and kidneys, body sugar and protein levels, and electrolyte and fluid balance. Doctors order a CMP test to help diagnose liver or kidney disease, as well as conditions like diabetes. Doctors also use this test to monitor people who have health problems or are taking certain medicines. Several different tests are done in a comprehensive metabolic panel. It includes all the tests in the basic metabolic panel, in addition to a few others. The good news is you should only need to get blood taken once. The lab uses the same blood sample to run all the tests. The CMP helps doctors look at: • Glucose. The body uses this type of sugar for energy. Abnormal glucose levels can indicate diabetes or hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). • Calcium. This mineral plays an important role in muscle contraction, transmitting messages through the nerves, and the release of hormones. High or low calcium levels
