Metabolic panel
Also called: CMP
Clinical reviewer: Elena Gizzi, MSN, RN · Last checked September 24, 2026
What is a comprehensive metabolic panel?
Metabolic panel refers to a routine blood test, most often a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), that measures substances such as glucose, electrolytes, and kidney and liver markers. A CMP measures 14 different substances from a blood draw and shows information about metabolism and chemical balance. A related, shorter test, the basic metabolic panel, checks 8 of those substances.
What does a comprehensive metabolic panel measure?
A comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) is "a routine blood test that measures 14 different substances in a sample of your blood," with information about metabolism and chemical balance [1]. Other names include chem 14, chemistry panel and chemistry screen [1]. The draw from an arm vein "usually takes less than five minutes," and you may need to fast for several hours [1].
| Group | Tests |
|---|---|
| Blood sugar | Glucose |
| Minerals and electrolytes | Calcium, sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, chloride |
| Proteins | Albumin, total protein |
| Liver | ALP, ALT, AST, bilirubin |
| Kidney | BUN, creatinine |
How is a CMP different from a BMP?
A BMP includes 8 of the 14 CMP tests, leaving out total protein, albumin, bilirubin, and the liver enzymes ALP, ALT, and AST [1]. A CMP can check liver and kidney health, blood glucose, protein levels, and fluid and electrolyte balance, and can show whether a treatment "is working and/or if it's causing certain side effects" [1]. Blood chemistry studies show "how well a person's kidneys, liver, and other organs are working" [2]. Kidney function also comes up in GLP-1 labels: Wegovy's and Zepbound's both tell prescribers to monitor renal function in patients with side effects that could lead to volume depletion, especially when starting or increasing the dose [3][4].
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This entry is for education and is not medical advice. Talk with a licensed clinician about your own situation before starting, stopping, or changing any treatment.
