Guide To Common Blood Tests

Basic Metabolic Panel

Doctors typically order a basic metabolic panel to check for conditions such as hormonal imbalances, kidney disease, diabetes, and lung issues. Patients having this blood test will need to fast for at least eight hours before their appointment. The basic metabolic panel measures a patient's levels of calcium, glucose, sodium, potassium, and electrolytes. It also checks for the amount of carbon dioxide, chloride, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine. High levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) could indicate kidney failure or congestive heart failure, and low levels might be signs of insufficient dietary protein or liver issues. High creatinine levels could be potential indicators of preeclampsia or diseases that affect the muscles, and abnormally low levels may be indicative of muscular dystrophy. Patients following a low protein diet typically display low albumin readings, and these might also occur as a result of recent bariatric surgery. High calcium levels are associated with cancer, and low calcium could signal issues with the pancreas. Low sodium measurements from a basic metabolic panel are often caused by dehydration or vomiting, and they might also be present in cases of Addison's disease.

If abnormalities are found on a basic metabolic panel, doctors will normally order a complete (comprehensive) metabolic panel and other tests to determine the underlying cause. A comprehensive metabolic panel can provide more information about any potential liver issues a patient might be experiencing. Patients who have endocrine disorders may need to have metabolic panels performed fairly regularly to monitor their condition.

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