Many health-conscious people today are electing to undergo a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP). This unique battery of tests analyzes the blood to identify precursors and indications of a wide variety of diseases, evaluate organ function, and to monitor the effects of certain medications.
The CMP is also known as a Comprehensive Wellness Test, a Comprehensive Wellness Panel or Comprehensive Wellness Profile (CWP). Whether as part of diagnosing and treating illnesses, a pro-active requirement by insurance companies, or part of a yearly check-up, the CMP is used to monitor organ function and overall health, offering invaluable insights into the state of a person’s health.
What is a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel?
Doctors use the Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) as a way to screen for certain illnesses and as pro-active wellness diagnostic tool. Depending on the needs of the individual, either the complete CMP can be run or just key parts of it.
In order to get accurate readings, it is critical that anyone planning on taking a CWP should refrain from eating the night prior (fasting for a minimum of 10 hours) and drinking only water as well as taking any prescribed medications. Once in the laboratory, a blood sample will be taken and results should be available within a few days.
If unusual results are obtained after the initial CMP is analyzed, it may be necessary to follow-up with additional specific tests to help your doctor confirm or rule out a suspected diagnosis.
What does a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel Include?
Depending on your needs, only some of the following tests may be included when you undergo a comprehensive metabolic panel. The full CMP battery includes:
- Glucose Test – This test measures blood sugar levels, vital for both diagnosing diabetes as well as identifying a risk for developing diabetes in the near future.
- Uric Acid – The levels of uric acid in the bloodstream are key indicators of how well your digestive system is functioning as well as how your kidney is functioning.
- BUN – Also known as the BUN test, the acronym stands for Blood Urea Nitrogen. This test helps identify how well your kidneys are metabolizing protein.
- Creatinine – When your muscles process energy, they discard creatinine that is processed through the kidney. High levels of creatinine in the blood may indicate a problem with the kidneys or muscle-related issues.
- BUN/Creatinine ratio – Problems with the kidneys are associated with both high uric acid and creatinine levels but their specific ratio can help doctors determine exactly which problems the kidneys are having.
- Calcium Test – Testing the amount of calcium in your blood cannot identify how much calcium is in a person’s bones but allows doctors to determine the general state of health of the bones, teeth, heart, nervous system and heart function.
- Iron Test – Low levels of iron in the blood may indicate anemia.
- Phosphorous Test – This mineral, in conjunction with calcium, is essential for nerve function, muscle development, and blood clotting.
- Cholesterol Test – Fat molecules in the blood are divided into two categories: cholesterol and triglycerides. Measuring overall cholesterol levels can be an excellent way to identify issues relating to thyroid function, pancreatic disease, liver function, diabetes, and the hardening of the arteries (known by its medical term arteriosclerosis).
- Triglycerides Test – Elevated levels of triglycerides in the blood may indicate a problem with the pancreas, liver, thyroid or the hardening of the arteries.
- HDL Test – Known as the “good” form of cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels are considered beneficial to preventing heart disease.
- LDL Test – The type of cholesterol considered damaging to your health, elevated levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood stream are associated with elevated risks of developing heart disease.
- Glomerular Filtration (eGFR) Test – This test helps determine how well the kidneys are able to remove toxins from the bloodstream.
- Protein and Albumin – Sometimes also paired with a Globulin test, this test is a wonderful tool for analyzing the overall health of an individual. By measuring the ratio of protein in the body, doctors can identify infections, problems with nutrition, as well as identify a host of illnesses. Globulin and Albumin are specific forms of protein. This test is sometimes called a “Total Protein Test”.
- Bilirubin Test – One of the key ingredients in your bile, elevated levels of bilirubin can indicate that red blood cells are being destroyed or that the liver is having difficulty functioning properly.
- AST Test – Known as the Aspartate Aminotransferase Test, this refers to a special enzyme that can indicate problems with the liver if levels are too high. Sometimes known as the SGOT test.
- ALT Test – The acronym stands for the Alaninine Aminotransferase Test. Another important enyzme produced by the liver that can help identify problems with the liver.
- LDH Test – Stands for Lactate Dehydrogenase, an enzyme produced by the heart, kidney, brains, liver, and red blood cells. Elevated levels of LDH may indicate that an organ has been damaged.
- GGT Test – Sometimes referred to as the GGTP test. Stands for Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase or transferase. Elevated levels of this enzyme can indicate problems with the bile duct and/or kidney.
- Sodium, Serum – Measures how much sodium is in the bloodstream. Critical for the proper functioning of the nervous system and muscles.
- Potassium Test – The nervous system and muscles rely on this mineral for proper functioning.
- Chloride, Serum – Similar to the sodium test, the amount of chlorides in the bloodstream help identify problems with the electrolyte balance in the body.
- Carbon Dioxide – The amount of CO2 in the bloodstream is used to monitor and identify problems with electrolyte imbalances.
- Thyroid Panel/TSH Test – A comprehensive series of test to help monitor thyroid function as well as levels of the critical Thryoid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH).
- CBC with Differential and Platelets – Known as the Complete Blood Count, this comprehensive test measures all of the different kinds of blood cells, including platelets. White blood cells are used to fight off infections. Red blood cells are used to transport oxygen and carbon dioxide. Hemoglobin is a protein molecule in red blood cells that bind with oxygen. Hematocrit levels indicate how well red blood cells are absorbing oxygen. Basophils, Eosinophils, Lymphocites and Monocytes are all critical components of white blood cells. Platelets are used by the body to clot the blood and repair cell damage. A RDW count (red cell distribution) helps measure the size of red blood cells, a key test that can indicate problems like anemia.
The Benefits of a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel Test
The results from your CMP will help your doctor get an overall look at the general state of your health. By analyzing the pattern of your results, your doctor can get important clues towards diagnosing your overall health condition as well as specific symptoms or problems.
If abnormal results are obtained, your doctor may order additional CMPs or components of the CMP in order to monitor and track the function of your organs, metabolic function, diet and prescription medications.
Because both prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs can alter the results of the CMP it is essential that you tell your doctor if you are taking anything before submitting to a CMP.