Short answer: A basic metabolic panel (BMP) is a group of 7–8 blood tests: glucose, the electrolytes sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate (CO₂), the kidney tests BUN and creatinine, and often calcium. A comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) adds the liver tests (ALT, AST, ALP, bilirubin) and the proteins albumin and total protein. Both give a broad view of chemistry in the blood in one sample.
At a glance
| BMP | Glucose, sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, BUN, creatinine, often calcium |
|---|---|
| CMP | BMP plus ALT, AST, ALP, bilirubin, albumin, total protein |
| Units | mg/dL and mmol/L in the US; mostly mmol/L in Europe |
| LOINC | 51990-0 (BMP), 24323-8 (CMP) |
| Outside the US | Ordered as separate tests: electrolytes, kidney function, liver function |
| Keep | Each line separately, so the trend of each marker is visible |
What the test measures
The electrolytes keep fluid balance, nerves and muscles working:
- Sodium: mainly reflects water balance.
- Potassium: important for the heart and muscles; it can be falsely high if the sample is shaken or delayed (haemolysis).
- Chloride and bicarbonate (total CO₂): help show the acid–base balance of the blood.
The kidney tests (BUN, creatinine, eGFR) and glucose are explained on their own pages; the CMP's liver tests are on the liver function tests page.
When it is ordered
Common reasons, which your doctor adapts to you:
- as part of a routine check, a hospital admission or before surgery;
- to follow kidney function, fluid balance or medicines that affect electrolytes (for example diuretics);
- when symptoms such as weakness, confusion or dehydration need checking.
How the result is written on the report
| Result on the report | LOINC code | Usual unit | Also seen as |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sodium | 2951-2 | mmol/L | mEq/L (same number) |
| Potassium | 2823-3 | mmol/L | mEq/L (same number) |
| Chloride | 2075-0 | mmol/L | mEq/L |
| Carbon dioxide, total (bicarbonate) | 2028-9 | mmol/L | mEq/L |
| Calcium | 17861-6 | mg/dL | mmol/L (×0.2495) |
| Urea nitrogen (BUN) | 3094-0 | mg/dL | mmol/L urea (×0.357) |
| Creatinine | 2160-0 | mg/dL | µmol/L (×88.4) |
| Glucose | 2345-7 | mg/dL | mmol/L (×0.0555) |
| Albumin (CMP) | 1751-7 | g/dL | g/L |
For sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate, mmol/L and mEq/L give the same number. Calcium converts with mmol/L = mg/dL × 0.2495.
Reading your report
Potassium is the value most often affected by how the sample was handled: a raised potassium with a note such as 'haemolysed' is often repeated. Glucose on a BMP depends on whether you fasted. Doctors read the panel as a whole rather than line by line.
Keeping the results in your record
Scan or photograph the report in Anpheros Daily: each value is read with its unit and the laboratory's reference range, you check it, and it is stored with its LOINC code as an HL7 FHIR Observation, a format used by many hospitals and national health systems. Results from different laboratories line up on one chart over time, and the lab unit converter helps when two reports use different units. Our guide on how to read lab results explains reference ranges and flags in general; the lab results guide for a new doctor shows how to share them.
What this page does not do
It explains what the test is and how the result is written. It does not interpret your result, diagnose or recommend treatment: the meaning of a value depends on your history, your other results and how the sample was taken, and that is your doctor's job.
Related pages
Sources
- MedlinePlus: Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)
- MedlinePlus: Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
- MedlinePlus: Electrolyte Panel
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a BMP and a CMP?
The CMP contains everything in the BMP plus liver tests and the proteins albumin and total protein.
Is mmol/L the same as mEq/L for sodium and potassium?
Yes, for these single-charge electrolytes the numbers are the same.
Why might my potassium be falsely high?
If red cells break in the tube (haemolysis), for example after a difficult draw or a delay, potassium leaks out of them. Labs often flag it and repeat the test.
Do I need to fast for a metabolic panel?
Often yes, because of glucose. Follow the instructions you were given.
Try it in Anpheros Daily
Photograph your lab report and Anpheros Daily lines up each value with its reference range, so you can compare reports from different laboratories.
How it works in the app →
Anpheros builds a medical record that the patient controls and can share with any clinic, on an HL7 FHIR R4 platform, based in the EU. These guides help you understand and organise your health; they do not replace your doctor.
About Anpheros →
AnpherosThe more you log, the clearer your record
Your health history in one place, under your control.
Free · Works in your browser · No card
