A comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) is a blood test that measures 14 different substances in the blood. It provides important information about the bodys chemical balance and metabolism, including liver and kidney health, blood sugar levels, blood protein levels, acid and base balance, and fluid and electrolyte balance. The CMP is an expanded version of the basic metabolic panel (BMP), which does not include liver tests. The 14 substances measured in a CMP include:

• Albumin
• Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
• Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
• Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
• Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
• Calcium
• Carbon dioxide (CO2)
• Chloride
• Creatinine
• Glucose
• Potassium
• Sodium
• Total bilirubin
• Total protein

A CMP can be ordered as part of a routine physical examination or may be used to monitor a patient with a chronic disease, such as diabetes mellitus or hypertension. It is also used to diagnose, screen for, and monitor certain health conditions. Abnormal levels of any of the substances measured in a CMP can be a sign of a serious health problem. A CMP is a helpful and common blood test that broadly assesses physical health. It is important to note that having an abnormal level in one of the CMP results does not necessarily mean a person has a medical condition, as many other factors can affect the results.