BASIC METABOLIC PANEL

BASIC METAB PNL; Basic Metabolic Panel; Metabolic Panels,BMP

The basic metabolic panel (BMP) is a group of 8 tests that measures several substances in your blood. It is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests.

The BMP gives your healthcare practitioner important information about the current status of your body’s metabolism (hence the name metabolic panel). The BMP provides information on your blood sugar (glucose) level, the balance of electrolytes and fluids, and the health of your kidneys. 

The BMP includes the following tests:

• Glucose - the primary energy source for the body's cells; a steady supply must be available for use, and a relatively stable glucose level must be maintained in the blood.
• Calcium – one of the most important minerals in the body; it is essential for the proper functioning of muscles, nerves, and the heart and is required in blood clotting and in the formation of bones.
• Electrolytes—these are minerals found in body tissues and blood in the form of dissolved salts. Electrolytes help move nutrients into the body's cells and remove wastes out of cells. 
• Sodium – vital to normal body function, including nerve and muscle function
• Potassium – vital to cell metabolism and muscle function, helping to transmit messages between nerves and muscles
• Bicarbonate (Total CO2) – helps to maintain the body's acid-base balance (pH)
• Chloride – helps to regulate the amount of fluid in the body and maintain the acid-base balance
• Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) – waste product filtered out of the blood by the kidneys; as kidney function decreases, BUN level rises.