Basic metabolic panel
What is a Basic Metabolic Panel?
A basic metabolic panel (BMP) is a blood test that measures your sugar (glucose) level, electrolyte and fluid balance, as well as your kidney function. The basic metabolic panel includes: sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, glucose, and sometimes calcium. It is one of the most common blood tests conducted. A BMP is usually an initial step in diagnosing kidney, electrolyte, acid/base, and glucose imbalances.
Preparation for a Basic Metabolic Panel
Before undergoing a basic metabolic panel, your healthcare practitioner may advise you to fast for nine to 12 hours. This means you can't eat anything or even drink anything except water. Certain medications and supplements may also affect the accuracy of your BMP results, so your doctor may ask you to stop taking them for a period of time before testing.
Procedure for a Basic Metabolic Panel
Having a basic metabolic panel done is very simple and doesn't take long. Generally, a healthcare practitioner will take a sample of your blood either from a vein in your arm or from the back of your hand. They will then send the sample off to a lab where it will be tested and the results analyzed.
Types of Basic Metabolic Panel Tests
The type of test your doctor orders will depend on the condition they are investigating. Some of the common tests include:
- Standard BMP – This type of test measures 7 basic components: sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and glucose. This is the most common type of BMP and is often used to determine a patient’s overall health.
- Renal Function Panel – This panel evaluates renal (kidney) function and includes tests for creatinine, BUN, potassium, chloride, sodium, and sometimes calcium. It also often includes tests for albumin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and urea clearance.
- Electrolyte Panel – This panel tests mainly for sodium, potassium, and chloride, and is used to detect electrolyte imbalances.
Risks of a Basic Metabolic Panel
Having a basic metabolic panel done is a relatively safe procedure, and the only risk involved is discomfort associated with having a needle inserted in your arm. Other than that, there are no real risks to having a BMP done.
Why Have a Basic Metabolic Panel?
A basic metabolic panel is often ordered by healthcare practitioners to help determine the overall health of a patient. It can also be used to detect or monitor conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, electrolyte imbalances, or dehydration. In addition, BMPs are often ordered before a patient undergoes surgery or certain treatments.
When Should a Basic Metabolic Panel Be Executed?
Your healthcare practitioner may ask you to have a basic metabolic panel done if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms: dehydration, fatigue, confusion, vomiting, diarrhea, or an excess of hunger or thirst. A BMP is also a routine part of many physical exams.