Content :
◉ Definition
A comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) is a blood test that measures 14 different substances in your blood that provide valuable information about the overall health and functioning of various organs and systems in the body.
A CMP test can help diagnose, screen for, and monitor various health conditions, such as diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, and electrolyte imbalances.
◉ What are the 14 test in a CMP?
A CMP includes 14 tests for the following substances
- Glucose: This is a type of sugar and your body's main source of energy.
- Calcium: This is one of the body's most important minerals. Calcium is essential for proper functioning of your nerves, muscles and heart.
- Sodium, potassium, carbon dioxide, and chloride: These are electrolytes, electrically charged minerals that help control the amount of fluids and the balance of acids and bases in your body. Electrolytes are important for maintaining blood pressure, muscle contraction, nerve impulses and hydration.
- Albumin: This is a protein made in the liver. Albumin transports important substances through your bloodstream and keeps fluid from leaking out of your blood vessels.
- Total protein: This is a measurement of the total amount of protein in your blood. Proteins are essential for many body functions, such as immune response, tissue repair, and hormone production.
- ALP (alkaline phosphatase), ALT (alanine transaminase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase): These are different enzymes made by the liver. Enzymes are substances that speed up chemical reactions in the body.
- Bilirubin: This is a waste product made by the liver from the breakdown of red blood cells.
- BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine: These are waste products removed from your blood by your kidneys. BUN and creatinine levels can indicate how well your kidneys are working.
◉ What is the importance of CMP test?
The comprehensive metabolic panel is an important diagnostic tool used to assess various aspects of a person's overall health and organ function.
The CMP is routinely ordered by healthcare providers for several reasons:
- Check your overall health status.
- Diagnose certain medical conditions.
- Screen for certain health risks.
- Monitor the effects of certain medications or treatments.
- Adjust your diet, lifestyle, or medication to improve your health.
◉ How can I prepare for the test?
To prepare for the CMP test, you should follow these steps:
- You should fast for at least 8 hours before the test.
- You may also need to stop taking certain medicines or supplements, if your provider advises you to do so.
- You need to avoid any stress before performing the test.
◉ What is the normal range of CMP test?
The normal range for a CMP test depends on the specific substance that is measured in the blood. Here are some general normal ranges for the 14 substances in a CMP:
- Glucose: 70 to 100 mg/dL (3.9 to 5.6 mmol/L)
- Calcium: 8.5 to 10.2 mg/dL (2.13 to 2.55 mmol/L)
- Total protein: 6.0 to 8.3 g/dL (60 to 83 g/L)
- 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)
- Creatinine: 0.6 to 1.3 mg/dL (53 to 114.9 µmol/L)
- Sodium: 135 to 145 mEq/L (135 to 145 mmol/L)
- Potassium: 3.7 to 5.2 mEq/L (3.70 to 5.20 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)
◉ High values of CMP test
High values of a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) test can indicate various health conditions, depending on which substance is elevated.
Here are some possible causes and associated symptoms for high values in certain CMP components:
◉ 1. High Glucose (Hyperglycemia):
- Causes: Diabetes mellitus, prediabetes, pancreatitis and Cushing's syndrome.
- Symptoms: Increased thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and blurred vision.
◉ 2. High Liver Enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP):
- Causes: Liver disease (such as hepatitis, cirrhosis ), alcohol abuse, gallstones and liver injury.
- Symptoms: Fatigue, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), abdominal pain, dark urine and pale stools.
◉ 3. High (BUN) and Creatinine
- Causes: Kidney dysfunction or disease, dehydration and urinary tract obstruction.
- Symptoms: Decreased urine output, swelling in the legs and fatigue.
◉ 4. High Total Bilirubin
- Causes: Liver dysfunction, gallbladder disease and bile duct obstruction.
- Symptoms: Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) dark urine, pale stools and abdominal pain.
◉ 5. High Calcium
- Causes: Hyperparathyroidism, certain cancers (e.g., multiple myeloma), vitamin D toxicity and kidney dysfunction.
- Symptoms: muscle weakness, excessive thirst, frequent urination and abdominal pain.
◉ Low values of CMP test
Low values of a comprehensive metabolic panel test can indicate various health conditions, depending on which substance is low.
Here are some potential causes and associated symptoms for low values in certain CMP components:
◉ 1. Low Glucose (Hypoglycemia):
- Causes: Excessive insulin or oral diabetic medication, liver disease and adrenal insufficiency.
- Symptoms: Shakiness, dizziness, sweating, confusion and weakness.
◉ 2. Low Liver Enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP):
- Causes: Malnutrition and severe liver disease (cirrhosis).
- Symptoms: Fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, jaundice (in severe cases) and abdominal discomfort.
◉ 3. Low (BUN) and Creatinine
- Causes: Kidney dysfunction or disease and severe liver disease.
- Symptoms: Edema (swelling) in the legs, confusion and shortness of breath.
◉ 4. Low Total Bilirubin
- Causes: Reduced production of bilirubin and genetic conditions
- Symptoms: Typically none, as low bilirubin levels are usually not associated with specific symptoms.
◉ 5. Low Calcium
- Causes: Hypoparathyroidism, vitamin D deficiency, malabsorption and chronic kidney disease.
- Symptoms: Numbness or tingling in the extremities, muscle spasms or cramps, fatigue and brittle nails.
◉ Conclusion
The comprehensive metabolic panel test is a vital component of diagnostic evaluations in medicine, providing valuable insights into a patient's overall health, organ function, and metabolic status.
By incorporating the CMP test into routine clinical practice, healthcare providers can enhance patient care and improve outcomes.