Metabolic Panel and Significance
Metabolic Panel
What sample is needed for the Metabolic Panel?
- Fasting blood is the best sample.
- The patient needs fasting for 8 to 10 hours.
What are the indications for a Metabolic Panel (Comprehensive metabolic panel = CMP)?
- For routine health check-ups.
- To evaluate kidney function.
- To evaluate liver function.
- To monitor medications that may affect the liver or kidneys.
How does the metabolic panel evaluate the function of various organs?
Metabolic panel evaluates:
- Blood glucose level for diabetes mellitus.
- Serum electrolytes for hydration and acid/base balance.
- Kidney function tests.
- Liver function tests.
- Fluid electrolytes.
What are the types of metabolic panels?
- Basic metabolic panel (BMP).
- Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP).
What are the tests included in the metabolic panel?
Basic metabolic panel includes (BMP):
- Glucose.
- Calcium.
- Sodium.
- Potassium.
- Chloride.
- Bicarbonate (HCO3).
- BUN.
- Creatinine.
- eGFR
Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) includes:
- Glucose
- Proteins:
- Total protein
- Albumin
- Liver function tests:
- Serum bilirubin
- SGPT ( alanine aminotransferase)
- SGOT (aspartate aminotransferase)
- ALP (alkaline phosphatase)
- Kidney function tests:
- BUN (blood urea nitrogen)
- Creatinine
- Electrolytes:
- Serum sodium
- Serum potassium
- Chloride
- Bicarbonate
- Serum calcium level
- Thyroid function tests.
- Lipid profile.
How would you summarize the functions of a comprehensive metabolic profile, CMP, and BMP?
- A comprehensive metabolic profile is called Chem14, a chemistry screen, or a metabolic panel.
- These will evaluate liver function.
- These will evaluate kidney function.
- Blood glucose.
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Electrolytes imbalance.
- Hydration status..
How will you define Metabolic syndrome (Metabolic syndrome X)?
- Metabolic syndrome is also called Syndrome X.
- Metabolic syndrome consists of the following:
- Insulin resistance.
- Hypertension.
- Abdominal obesity.
- Prothrombotic and proinflammatory conditions.
- Metabolic syndrome criteria:
- Glucose intolerance with a fasting level of 110 to 125 mg/dL.
- Atherogenic stimulants are:
- Triglycerides = >150 mg/dL
- HDL-C <40 mg/dL in males and <50 mg/dL in females.
- Increased LDL.
- Abnormalities in fibrinolysis and coagulation.
- Exclusion of other causes of dyslipidemia like cholestasis, hypothyroidism, chronic renal failure, and nephrotic syndrome.
What are the complications of abnormal metabolic syndrome?
Metabolic syndrome complications are:
- Heart disease.
- Stroke.
- Diabetes mellitus.
Questions and answers:
Question 1: What is the benefit of the metabolic panel?
The metabolic panel evaluates the functions of various organs and rules out diabetes mellitus.
Question 2: What are the complications of metabolic syndrome?
Metabolic syndrome leads to heart disease, stroke, and diabetes mellitus.

