Basic metabolic panel (BMP): What to expect and results Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What to know about a basic metabolic panel BMP Medically reviewed by Adam Bernstein, MD, ScD — By Caitlin Geng on October 5, 2022A BMP is a group of tests to measure eight different chemicals that occur naturally in the blood. The tests can inform doctors about a person’s organs and overall health. This article discusses a BMP, its uses, why a person may need it, and what happens during the test. It also considers the risks, results, and how it compares with a comprehensive metabolic test (CMP). What is a BMP Share on PinterestHernandez & Sorokina/StocksyA BMP is a blood test that provides doctors with information about the body’s levels of electrolytes, fluid balance, and kidney function. Healthcare workers usually perform these tests on the plasma part of the blood. The test measures eight different chemicals in the blood:Electrolytes: Carbon dioxide, sodium, potassium, and chloride. These electrically charged minerals help control the balance of acids and bases and the level of fluids in the body.Calcium: This is an essential mineral that helps keep the heart, nerves, and muscles functioning properly.Glucose: The body’s main energy source.Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine: These are waste products that the kidneys remove from the body. This test is also known as a chemistry screen, chemistry panel, chem 7, or electrolyte panel. What is it used for A doctor can use a BMP to check various body functions. These include:balance of fluids and electrolytesmetabolismkidney functionblood sugar levelsbalance of acid and base (Ph) levels Why is it needed A doctor may perform a BMP as part of a regular health checkup. A person may also need a BMP if a doctor monitors them for particular chronic conditions, such as kidney disease or high blood pressure, or if doctors treat them in an emergency room. If a person has abnormal levels of any of the eight substances in a BMP test, they may be at risk of a serious health issue. What happens during the test A person will experience the following during a BMP blood test:A healthcare professional, such as a doctor or nurse, will insert a small needle into a vein in a person’s arm. They will collect a blood sample into a vial or test tube, which typically takes less than 5 minutes and may cause a slight stinging feeling. The healthcare professional will send the blood sample to a lab for analysis. What happens after the test After the healthcare professional has drawn a blood sample, they will remove the needle and may place a small bandage or piece of cotton wool over the injection site to stop any bleeding. A person may have slight bruising or tenderness where the needle entered the skin, but symptoms usually resolve quickly. A laboratory machine will process the test results for the lab technicians and doctors to analyze. If the results of the test show abnormalities, the doctor may order further tests to diagnose the issue. How can people prepare for the test A person may need to stop eating or drinking for 8 hours before the test. To make it easier to access the injection site, people should wear short-sleeved shirts or T-shirts to their appointment. They should also discuss any medications they are currently taking and any recent illnesses with the doctor. Learn more about fasting before blood tests. Risks Risks for a blood test are minimal. An individual may experience slight bruising or a little pain at the injection site, but these symptoms typically go away quickly. Some people may feel faint for a little while after the test. Results BMP results will become available after analysis at a laboratory, which can take a few days. If a BMP reveals that a person has abnormal levels of any of the chemicals measured, it could indicate various medical conditions. These include:diabeteskidney failurebreathing issues Following abnormal results, a doctor may order further tests to determine what is affecting the person and how best to treat them. Learn more about how long it takes to receive blood test results. Healthy ranges This chart shows the ranges for the different chemicals tested during a BMP, according to the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM).TestNormal rangePurposeglucose70–99 mg/dLblood sugar levelsBUN8–20 mg/dL kidneyscreatininefemale: 0.5–1.1 mg/dL male: 0.7–1.3 mg/dLkidneyscarbon dioxide (CO2)23–30 mEq/Lelectrolyteschloride98–106 mEq/Lelectrolytespotassium3.5–5.0 mEq/Lelectrolytessodium136–145 mEq/Lelectrolytescalcium8.6–10.2 mg/dLmineral Abbreviations:mg = milligrammmol = millimolemEq = milliequivalentsL = literdL = deciliter = 0.1 liter Basic metabolic panel vs complete metabolic panel A complete or comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) is similar to a BMP, except it measures 14 substances instead of eight in the blood. Alongside the eight chemicals a BMP measures, a CMP also looks at levels of:Total protein: The total amount of protein present in the blood.Bilirubin: A waste product the liver produces.Albumin: A protein the liver produces.Enzymes the liver produces: Examples include alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). A doctor may favor a CMP over a BMP in cases where they believe the person may have a liver or kidney condition, or to monitor the effects of certain medications. A CMP may also be part of a regular checkup. When to speak with a doctor A person can discuss whether a BMP would be appropriate with a healthcare professional. Otherwise, a doctor may suggest a BMP to help evaluate a person’s health status. Frequently asked questions Here are some answers to common questions about BMPs. Should people fast for a basic metabolic panel test Sometimes, a healthcare professional may ask a person to avoid eating or drinking for 8 hours before the test. A doctor will inform a person if they need to fast. Is it concerning to have an abnormal BMP test result Abnormal results could be due to various reasons, including side effects of medicines. The doctor will discuss the results of each test with the individual and may perform or order further tests to determine what is affecting them. Summary A basic metabolic panel (BMP) refers to a group of blood tests measuring the levels of eight substances in the blood. The tests can provide doctors with information about the body’s levels of electrolytes, fluid balance, and kidney function. Abnormal levels of any of these substances could indicate various health issues, such as issues with the kidneys, breathing, or glucose levels. Individuals can receive a BMP as part of their regular checkup or if a doctor orders the test while diagnosing a health condition. The test is quick and has minimal risk. If a BMP reveals abnormal results, a doctor may order further tests to help them diagnose and treat an illness. Last medically reviewed on October 5, 2022Blood / HematologyMedical Devices / DiagnosticsKidney disease 5 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.ABIM laboratory test reference ranges. (2022).https://www.abim.org/Media/bfijryql/laboratory-reference-ranges.pdfBasic metabolic panel (BMP). (2021).https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/basic-metabolic-panel-bmp/Blood tests. (2022).https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/blood-testsComprehensive metabolic panel (CMP). (2021).https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/comprehensive-metabolic-panel-cmp/How to read a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP). (2022).https://www.kidney.org/newsletter/how-to-read-comprehensive-metabolic-panelFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Adam Bernstein, MD, ScD — By Caitlin Geng on October 5, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageAll about blood testsMedically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D.O. 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