Understanding Your CMP
The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) is a group of blood tests that give a broad snapshot of your kidneys, liver, electrolytes, and blood sugar. Here’s what each part means.
What a CMP Measures
A CMP includes about 14 measurements grouped into a few key areas. Together they give a wide-angle view of how your body is working.
- Blood sugar – your glucose level.
- Kidney function – how well your kidneys filter waste.
- Electrolytes and fluid balance – minerals that keep your body running.
- Liver function – enzymes and proteins made by the liver.
Blood Sugar
This is often measured while fasting to screen for diabetes.
| Component | What It Means |
|---|---|
| GlucoseBlood Sugar | Your blood sugar at the time of the draw. High levels, especially when fasting, can point to prediabetes or diabetes; low levels can cause shakiness or lightheadedness. |
Kidney Function
These values show how well your kidneys are filtering waste from your blood.
| Component | What It Means |
|---|---|
| BUNBlood Urea Nitrogen | A waste product filtered by the kidneys. High levels can reflect reduced kidney function or dehydration. |
| Creatinine | A waste product from muscle that the kidneys clear. It is one of the best everyday markers of kidney function. |
| eGFREstimated Glomerular Filtration Rate | A calculated estimate of your kidney filtering capacity. Lower numbers suggest reduced kidney function. |
Electrolytes and Fluid Balance
Electrolytes are minerals that keep your nerves, muscles, and hydration in balance.
| Component | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Sodium | Key for fluid balance and nerve function. Abnormal levels often relate to hydration, medications, or hormones. |
| Potassium | Essential for heart rhythm and muscle function. Both high and low levels matter and are watched closely. |
| Chloride | Works with sodium to balance fluids and acidity. |
| CO2Bicarbonate | Reflects the acid-base balance of your blood. |
| Calcium | Important for bones, nerves, and muscles. Abnormal levels can reflect bone, kidney, or hormone issues. |
Liver Function and Proteins
These enzymes and proteins reflect the health of your liver.
| Component | What It Means |
|---|---|
| ALT & ASTLiver Enzymes | Enzymes released when liver cells are stressed or injured. Elevated levels can signal liver inflammation from many causes. |
| Alkaline PhosphataseALP | An enzyme from the liver and bones. Elevations can point to liver, bile duct, or bone issues. |
| Bilirubin | A waste product processed by the liver. High levels can cause jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). |
| Albumin | The main protein made by the liver. Low levels can reflect liver, kidney, or nutrition problems. |
| Total Protein | The total of albumin and other proteins in your blood. |
What’s Most Important to Know
Small deviations from the reference range are common and often not concerning on their own. What matters most is the overall pattern, how the values compare to your past results, and whether they match your symptoms.
For most patients, the fasting glucose (blood sugar), creatinine and eGFR (kidney function), and liver enzymes are the values we look at most closely. Dr. Mui reviews your CMP in the context of your health and will explain anything that needs follow-up.
This page is for general education and does not replace a conversation with your doctor about your specific results. Want to review your results? Book a visit and we’ll go through them together.