basic metabolic panel

BASIC METABOLIC PANEL

A basic metabolic panel is blood test that quantifies your glucose level, kidney function, and electrolyte and fluid balance is a basic metabolic panel.

From a myriad of sugars present in various biochemical reactions of life, your body uses glucose as its main source of energy for its metabolic processes. Your body’s fluid balance is maintained by your electrolytes; this keeps your body working normally i.e. your heart rhythm, brain function, and muscle contraction. Your kidneys are hard-working organs as they filter out the toxins present in your body. They also maintain the proper equilibrium of water, minerals, and salts in the body.

If you are currently taking medications for a certain medical condition, such as hypertension, your physician might issue a request for a basic metabolic panel to check if the medications are affecting the organs that process them and if they affect your electrolyte balance. Your physician might also order this as part of a routine physical examination or to aid in the diagnosis of a medical condition.

TYPES

There are two types: the basic metabolic panel (BMP) and the comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP).

The BMP assesses the blood levels of your blood sugar (FBS or FBG), and electrolytes such as sodium (Na), potassium (K+), and calcium (Ca2+). It also checks your kidney function by checking the levels of your serum creatinine.

The CMP also checks for the blood levels of the said compounds and serums, but it is more comprehensive as it also checks the levels of your SGPT and SGOT (liver function tests), proteins such as albumin and globulin, and your total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, and LDL (lipid profile)

DIAGNOSIS

This panel measures the blood levels of the following:

  • Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
  • Calcium(Ca2+)
  • Carbon Dioxide (Bicarbonateor NaHCO3)
  • Chloride(Cl)
  • Serum Creatinine
  • Glucose(FBG or FBS)
  • Potassium(K+)
  • Sodium(Na)

You are requested to do NPO (Latin for “nothing by mouth”) or to fast without eating or drinking anything for 10 to 12 hours before blood extraction.

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