Blood Disorders What Is a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)? What to expect when undergoing this test By Mary Kugler, RN Mary Kugler, RN Mary Kugler, RN, is a pediatric nurse whose specialty is caring for children with long-term or severe medical problems. Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 25, 2023 Medically reviewed by Steffini Stalos, DO Medically reviewed by Steffini Stalos, DO LinkedIn Twitter Steffini Stalos, DO is board-certified in Pathology and Lab Medicine. She is currently Chief Medical Officer of Blood Associates, a lab consultancy firm. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Purpose CMP Components Before the Test During the Test Interpreting Results Frequently Asked Questions A comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) is a set of 14 blood tests. It gives your healthcare provider valuable information about your body's metabolism, which is how your body turns food into energy. The test gives information about your liver and kidney functioning, fluid balance, and electrolyte levels. It may be done to assess your general health or to diagnose and follow the course of certain diseases and their management. Also referred to as a metabolic panel, chemistry panel, or chem 14, this is a relatively common test that is done from a single blood draw. This article discusses the purpose of the CMP test, what it tests for, and what you can expect during the test. Rafe Swan / Getty Images Purpose of CMP Test A CMP helps determine the health of your liver and kidneys and checks the status of your blood sugar and protein levels. It also provides information about your body's electrolytes and fluid balance. A CMP is typically done as part of your yearly checkup. It can also be ordered if you are ill and hospitalized. Your healthcare provider may order a comprehensive metabolic panel based on your risk factors for certain conditions, or to monitor them if you're already diagnosed. These conditions include: Type 2 diabetes Kidney disease Liver disease Hypertension The CMP doesn't necessarily diagnose a single condition. Given the breadth of the test, it often gives your healthcare provider a starting point to order more targeted tests to diagnose a specific condition. The test may also be used to monitor medications that could affect kidney or liver function. These drugs may include: Pain relievers (acetaminophen, naproxen, ibuprofen)StatinsAntibioticsIllicit drugs (cocaine, heroin, amphetamines) CMP Components There are 14 tests that make up a comprehensive metabolic panel. These measures are useful to review together, rather than alone, as patterns of results can be more telling—which is why they are tested at the same time. A CMP test shows the following measurements. Proteins Albumin: A protein produced by the liver that helps transport vitamins and enzymes through your bloodstream. The test measures liver function. Total protein: Measures all the proteins in the blood Electrolytes Sodium: Essential to basic, normal body function, including fluid maintenance as well as muscle and nerve function. Elevated sodium levels may increase fluid retention and blood pressure. Potassium: Helps to maintain proper heart and muscle function. High or low potassium can be related to hypertension and kidney disease. Carbon dioxide: Helps maintain your body's pH (acid/base) balance Chloride: Affects fluid and pH balance Kidney Tests BUN (blood urea nitrogen): The kidneys remove this waste product from the blood. High levels are a red flag for kidney function. A BUN that's low may occur with pregnancy, in people with liver failure, and in those overly hydrated. Creatinine: A waste product created by muscle function. Elevated levels could indicate kidney problems. Liver Tests ALP (alkaline phosphatase): A liver and bone enzyme that can indicate liver damage and bone disorders ALT (alanine aminotransferase): A liver and kidney enzyme AST (aspartate aminotransferase): A heart and liver enzyme Bilirubin: A liver waste product What if Your AST and ALT Is High? Your AST or ALT may be high for several reasons, not all of them serious. One United States study found 8.9% of people included had high ALT levels. However, high AST and ALT levels may suggest liver damage, especially when both are true. Your healthcare provider will need to diagnose the exact reason for high AST and/or high ALT. Other Glucose: Also referred to as your blood sugar, this is your body's main source of energy. Elevated blood sugar can be a sign of prediabetes and diabetes. Calcium: This mineral is critical for proper muscle and heart function, as well as bone formation. Basic Metabolic Panel vs. CMP The basic metabolic panel (BMP) is a simpler alternative to the CMP. It includes the same CMP measurements minus the liver and protein tests. Your healthcare provider may order this test if, for example, liver function isn't a concern. The ups and downs of blood sugar Before the CMP Test A complete metabolic panel takes only a few minutes. It may be done at your healthcare provider's office or lab facility. It may also be done in an ER setting or if you've been admitted to the hospital. The test requires fasting for a minimum of eight hours, so many people schedule it for first thing in the morning so they can eat when it's done. The blood draw will be taken from your arm, so it makes sense to wear something with sleeves that can be easily rolled up. During the CMP Test A metabolic panel is based on a single blood draw. The procedure followed is the same as with any other venipuncture, and your sample will be collected by a nurse or phlebotomist. The draw site will be cleaned with alcohol.A tourniquet will be placed above the area where the needle will be inserted. You may also be asked to squeeze something to draw more blood into your vein.A small needle will be inserted so blood can be collected.Once the vial is full, the needle will be taken out, pressure will be put on the site, and a bandage will be placed. You will be allowed to leave right after the test. Your sample will then be sent to a lab for analysis. Risks A comprehensive metabolic panel is generally safe. The only risks stem from the blood draw itself, and these tend to resolve quickly. You may experience: Bruising/bleeding at the injection siteSoreness from multiple sticks to find a veinInfectionAnxiety and/or dizziness from having blood taken 7 Tips for Making a Blood Draw Easier Interpreting CMP Results Your healthcare provider should get results back quickly, in a day or two at the most. They are presented with normal ranges as well as your individual levels. This gives healthcare providers a comprehensive look at overall metabolic health, particularly the liver and kidneys and their different processes. Your healthcare provider will typically look for patterns in the variety of results, rather than at one specific result. Mildly higher or lower results in one area may not be medically significant. Test Normal Range Albumin 3.4 to 5.4 g/dL (34 to 54 g/L) ALP 20 to 130 U/L ALT 4 to 36 U/L AST 8 to 33 U/L Bilirubin 0.1 to 1.2 mg/dL (2 to 21 µmol/L) BUN 6 to 20 mg/dL (2.14 to 7.14 mmol/L) Calcium 8.5 to 10.2 mg/dL (2.13 to 2.55 mmol/L) Carbon dioxide 23 to 29 mEq/L (23 to 29 mmol/L) Chloride 96 to 106 mEq/L (96 to 106 mmol/L) Creatinine 0.6 to 1.3 mg/dL (53 to 114.9 µmol/L) Glucose 70 to 100 mg/dL (3.9 to 5.6 mmol/L) Potassium 3.7 to 5.2 mEq/L (3.70 to 5.20 mmol/L) Sodium 135 to 145 mEq/L (135 to 145 mmol/L) Total protein 6.0 to 8.3 g/dL (60 to 83 g/L) In the case of someone hospitalized, multiple CMPs may be ordered on different days to monitor progress. Follow-Up While abnormal tests could indicate serious medical conditions like diabetes and kidney/liver problems, more condition-specific tests will follow to achieve an accurate diagnosis. If your healthcare provider wants to perform an even deeper metabolic workup, the following additional blood tests can be ordered (if they haven't been already): Complete blood cell count (CBC) Thyroid tests Creatine phosphokinase (CPK) Vitamin B12 level Ammonia (ammonium ion test) Hemoglobin A1C A Word From Verywell Be sure to have a thorough discussion with your healthcare provider about any abnormal results and what further steps you may have to take to address concerns. The best way to reduce any test anxiety is by asking questions and having a full understanding of what a CMP means for your health. Frequently Asked Questions What is the GFR blood test for? GFR stands for glomerular filtration rate, a measure of creatinine to indicate how well your kidneys function. Your healthcare provider may interpret these results as part of a comprehensive metabolic panel test. Learn More: Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) Test What diseases can a comprehensive metabolic panel detect? The CMP is most often used to help detect liver and kidney disorders, diabetes, and heart or other conditions related to electrolyte levels. It may be used in the presence of other disease. For example, the CMP may be used to assess people with COVID-19 infections. Learn More: What to Know About Liver Disease and COVID-19 Are there at-home CMP tests? Yes, CMP specimens can be collected at-home (then sent away to a pathology lab) or a person can simply walk-in into a direct access laboratory and order their own labs without a doctor's order. However, other factors beyond expertise, including storage time, may alter the results. Learn More: Best At-Home Kidney Tests What is the cost of a CMP test? How much a CMP costs will depend on where you live, the type of facility where you have the test, and the details of any insurance coverage you may have. For these reasons, the prices vary widely between about $15 out of pocket on a Medicare plan to $200 or more. Learn More: Medicare Eligibility, Coverage, and More Complete Blood Count (CBC) Analyzer: Decode Your Results 9 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Association for Clinical Chemistry. Comprehensive metabolic panel. American College of Gastroenterology. Medications and the liver. National Kidney Foundation. Which drugs are harmful to your kidneys? National Institutes for Health. MedlinePlus. Albumin blood test. National Institutes for Health. MedlinePlus. Potassium blood test. Malakouti M, Kataria A, Ali SK, Schenker S. Elevated Liver Enzymes in Asymptomatic Patients - What Should I Do? J Clin Transl Hepatol. 2017 Dec 28;5(4):394-403. doi:10.14218/JCTH.2017.00027. American College of Emergency Physicians. Laboratory Abnormalities. Wu DW, Li YM, Wang F. How Long can we Store Blood Samples: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. EBioMedicine. 2017 Oct;24:277-285. doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2017.09.024 College of American Pathologists. Medicare clinical laboratory fee schedule. Additional Reading National Institutes for Health. MedlinePlus. Medical encyclopedia: Comprehensive metabolic panel. National Institutes for Health. MedlinePlus. Medical tests: Comprehensive metabolic panel. By Mary Kugler, RN Mary Kugler, RN, is a pediatric nurse whose specialty is caring for children with long-term or severe medical problems. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? 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