Blood Test Description
Blood Test Includes: BUN; BUN:creatinine ratio; calcium, serum; carbon dioxide, total; chloride, serum; creatinine, serum; glucose, serum; potassium, serum; sodium, serum
The Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP) blood test is a frequently ordered panel of tests that gives your doctor important information about the current status of your kidneys, blood sugar, and electrolyte and acid/base balance. Abnormal blood test results, and especially combinations of abnormal results, can indicate a problem that needs to be addressed. The BMP is a group of 8 specific tests that have been approved, named, and assigned a CPT code (a Current Procedural Terminology number) as a panel by Medicare. Since the majority of insurance companies also use these names and CPT codes in their claim processing, this grouping of tests has become standardized throughout the United States.
The BMP blood tests includes:
Glucose
Calcium
Both increased and decreased levels can be significant.
Electrolytes
Sodium
Potassium
CO2 (carbon dioxide, bicarbonate)
Chloride
The concentrations of sodium and potassium are tightly regulated by the body as is the balance between the four molecules. Electrolyte (and acid-base) imbalances can be present with a wide variety of acute and chronic illnesses. Chloride and CO2 tests are rarely ordered by themselves.
Kidney Blood Tests
BUN (blood urea nitrogen)
Creatinine
BUN and creatinine are waste products filtered out of the blood by the kidneys. Increased concentrations in the blood may indicate a temporary or chronic decrease in kidney function. When not ordered as part of the BMP, they are still usually ordered together.