The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) is usually ordered by a physician for ascertaining the exact cause of some ailment or complaint. This test is actually a group of 14 blood tests that have been designed for assessing the functioning of the organs. Your doctor gets the vital information on the current state of your vital organs and parameters such as kidneys, liver, electrolyte level, base/ acid balance and proteins.
The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel blood test is also used for checking the organ dysfunction by measuring various parameters such as blood urea, electrolytes, alkaline phosphatase, glucose, calcium, bilirubin and albumin. The ceratinine and BUN levels indicate the actual capacity of our kidneys for removing waste material from the blood. Very high levels are indicators of some kidney disease.
A high BUN to ceratinine ratio points to a very low blood flow to the kidneys while unusually low ratio indicates low urea levels. By measuring the electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, carbon dioxide and chlorine, doctors can get vital clues regarding any dehydration or heart disease. Abnormally high levels of ALP, AST, ALT and bilirubin are indicative of serious problem in the functioning of liver. Raised bilirubin levels in the body indicate diseases like hemolysis and jaundice. The high bilirubin, ALP and ALT levels also indicate possible liver damage.
Very high levels of glucose indicate diabetes while low levels may indicate hypoglycemia. One can have high glucose levels due to pancreatitis, stress, malfunctioning of liver and by using steroids. Regarding the protein levels, low amounts of albumin and pre-albumin in the human body indicates kidney disease, fever, obesity, edema or some infection. Unusual calcium levels indicate pancreatic and kidney problems. Calcium is a very important mineral that is important in various hormone activities and any imbalance is taken seriously by the doctors.