Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhy OrderedBMP ComponentsFasting Before a BMPBMP ResultsFear of NeedlesNext Steps
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Why Ordered
BMP Components
Fasting Before a BMP
BMP Results
Fear of Needles
Next Steps
A basic metabolic panel (BMP) is a group of eightcommon blood teststhat examine severalbody functions. It is similar to a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), but the BMP includes fewer tests.
This article will discuss the tests included in a BMP and what are considered normal and abnormal results. It will also cover the scenarios leading to someone needing a BMP.
Why Providers Order a Basic Metabolic Panel
A BMP is a blood test given to check how various body systems are functioning. A healthcare provider may order a BMP during a regular checkup, to monitor certain health conditions, or you may get one during a visit to a hospital emergency department.
The body functions that a BMP check include:
Eight tests are covered in a BMP. They are:
Electrolytes
The electrolytes covered in a BMP are:
Kidney Function
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine are two tests that provide information about kidney functions, as follows:
Other
Glucoseis the body’s main source of energy. A glucose blood test, also known as a blood sugar test, will show how the body uses glucose. High levels of glucose could indicate diabetes.
Difference Between a BMP and CMPAcomprehensive metabolic panel (CMP)is a blood panel that includes the eight tests in a BMPand an additional six tests. The additional tests are:Albumin: A major blood protein produced in the liverTotal proteinAlkaline phosphatase (ALP): An enzyme found in the bones and liverAlanine aminotransferase(ALT): An enzyme found in the liver and kidneyAspartate aminotransferase(AST): An enzyme found in the heart and liverBilirubin: A waste product produced in the liver
Difference Between a BMP and CMP
Acomprehensive metabolic panel (CMP)is a blood panel that includes the eight tests in a BMPand an additional six tests. The additional tests are:Albumin: A major blood protein produced in the liverTotal proteinAlkaline phosphatase (ALP): An enzyme found in the bones and liverAlanine aminotransferase(ALT): An enzyme found in the liver and kidneyAspartate aminotransferase(AST): An enzyme found in the heart and liverBilirubin: A waste product produced in the liver
Acomprehensive metabolic panel (CMP)is a blood panel that includes the eight tests in a BMPand an additional six tests. The additional tests are:
Fasting Before a Basic Metabolic Panel
Fasting before a blood testmeans no food or drink, except water, before the test. It is important to drink water leading up to the blood test to stay hydrated.Always ask a healthcare provider about your specific fasting instructions before a BMP.
Basic Metabolic Panel Results
BMP resultswill provide a reading in numbers for each of the eight tests. Thoseresultswill also include a reference range. A reference range is the lab’s guide to normal results. It will provide the low end of normal and the high end of normal. The reference range can vary from lab to lab based on their testing techniques.
Normal
The following chart offers an example of normal ranges for BMP results. The units include milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL) for calcium, BUN, creatinine, and glucose and milliequivalents per liter of blood (mEq/L) for sodium, chloride, potassium, and bicarbonate.
Abnormal
Several factors can cause an abnormal BMP result. Each person will have unique circumstances that alter their results. Therefore, it’s important to have a healthcare provider read your results and provide feedback.
Abnormal BMP results could indicate:
Getting a BMP With a Fear of Needles
For people who have afear of needles, getting a blood test like a BMP can be a stressful event. A blood draw is the only way to get a BMP test, but there are ways to help reduce the fear of needles and ease the stress of giving a blood sample, including:
When the fear of needles interferes with necessary health care, then it may be time to talk to a mental health professional. A mental health provider who specializes in phobias can help determine the best course of treatment.
Next Steps After Abnormal BMP Results
An abnormal BMP result does not immediately indicate there is something wrong. Results need to be read in context, considering the entire picture of the person’s health. It is helpful to look at past results to find any trends.
Summary
A BMP is a set of blood tests that examine several body functions, including metabolism and kidney function. A healthcare provider may order a BMP at a yearly checkup, before surgery, or when you are sick.
It is a common test that gives a glimpse at someone’s health and can provide important information about health conditions and treatments.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Basic metabolic panel (BMP).MedlinePlus.Calcium blood test.MedlinePlus.Sodium blood test.MedlinePlus.Potassium blood test.MedlinePlus.Carbon dioxide (CO2) in blood.MedlinePlus.Chloride blood test.MedlinePlus.BUN (blood urea nitrogen).MedlinePlus.Creatinine test.MedlinePlus.Blood glucose test.MedlinePlus.Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP).MedlinePlus.Fasting for a blood test.MedlinePlus.How to understand your lab results.American College of Clinical Pathology.Reference for common laboratory tests.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Needle fears and phobia - find ways to manage.
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Basic metabolic panel (BMP).MedlinePlus.Calcium blood test.MedlinePlus.Sodium blood test.MedlinePlus.Potassium blood test.MedlinePlus.Carbon dioxide (CO2) in blood.MedlinePlus.Chloride blood test.MedlinePlus.BUN (blood urea nitrogen).MedlinePlus.Creatinine test.MedlinePlus.Blood glucose test.MedlinePlus.Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP).MedlinePlus.Fasting for a blood test.MedlinePlus.How to understand your lab results.American College of Clinical Pathology.Reference for common laboratory tests.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Needle fears and phobia - find ways to manage.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Basic metabolic panel (BMP).MedlinePlus.Calcium blood test.MedlinePlus.Sodium blood test.MedlinePlus.Potassium blood test.MedlinePlus.Carbon dioxide (CO2) in blood.MedlinePlus.Chloride blood test.MedlinePlus.BUN (blood urea nitrogen).MedlinePlus.Creatinine test.MedlinePlus.Blood glucose test.MedlinePlus.Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP).MedlinePlus.Fasting for a blood test.MedlinePlus.How to understand your lab results.American College of Clinical Pathology.Reference for common laboratory tests.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Needle fears and phobia - find ways to manage.
MedlinePlus.Basic metabolic panel (BMP).
MedlinePlus.Calcium blood test.
MedlinePlus.Sodium blood test.
MedlinePlus.Potassium blood test.
MedlinePlus.Carbon dioxide (CO2) in blood.
MedlinePlus.Chloride blood test.
MedlinePlus.BUN (blood urea nitrogen).
MedlinePlus.Creatinine test.
MedlinePlus.Blood glucose test.
MedlinePlus.Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP).
MedlinePlus.Fasting for a blood test.
MedlinePlus.How to understand your lab results.
American College of Clinical Pathology.Reference for common laboratory tests.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Needle fears and phobia - find ways to manage.
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