Comprehensive Metabolic Panel:
Reviewed by Jeff Donohue M.D. from Body Logic and Brady Hurst DC, CCCN. Written by True Health Labs team of editorial health contributors.
What is the Comprehensive Metabolic Panel?
The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) provides important information about your metabolic health. This group of tests measures various aspects of your metabolism, helping healthcare professionals make informed decisions about diagnosis, treatment, and preventive care.
It’s widely used in both traditional and functional medicine and is also included in our Health Check Plus with Vitamin D test panel.
Traditional Medicine
- Diagnose conditions such as liver disease, kidney disease, and blood sugar issues like diabetes and hypoglycemia.
- Monitor treatment efficacy for these various conditions.
Functional Medicine
- Information to help identify potential root causes of health issues and design preventive strategies. This is done by using narrower “functional ranges” within the CMP (and other tests) to uncover patterns within the blood work to create pinpoint therapies to improve your health situation or boost overall health. Our clinical department understands the importance of both standard lab test ranges and functional ranges (order your one-on-one results review).
What Specific Tests are Included in the Comprehensive Metabolic Panel?
The panel includes several individual tests, each with its specific purpose:
- Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT): Measures liver health.
- Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST): Another marker for liver health.
- Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP): Indicates liver and bone health.
- Bilirubin: Assesses the liver’s ability to process old blood cells.
- Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): Measures kidney function.
- Creatinine: Another indicator of kidney function.
- Glucose: Monitors blood sugar levels.
- Calcium: Important for bone and nerve health.
- Sodium, Potassium, Carbon Dioxide, and Chloride: Key electrolytes that help maintain fluid balance and nerve function.
- Albumin and Total Protein: Evaluate overall nutrition and liver function.
Related Lab Tests To Order
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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How should I prepare for the test?
- Typically, a 10-12 hour fast is recommended. This is usually recommended because eating before the blood test can significantly affect glucose levels. It is important to see how well your body controls blood sugar when you are fasting. When preparing for the CMP, water and black coffee are allowed.
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What do abnormal results indicate?
- Abnormal results can suggest various conditions, from liver and kidney diseases to electrolyte imbalances. Further evaluations will be needed from your treating physician. You can find out more on our Comprehensive Metabolic Panel guide.
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How often should I have a CMP done?
- Depending on factors like age, health status, and any ongoing treatments, your healthcare provider will recommend the appropriate frequency for the test. That said, it may be helpful to order the CMP each time you place an order at TrueHealthLabs.com so that you can visually see your trend and adjust your lifestyle as needed.
Source References
American Association for Clinical Chemistry
