A basic metabolic panel (BMP) measures blood chemistry. It generally includes: blood sugar (glucose), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, BUN/creatinine ratio, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), sodium, potassium, chloride, carbon dioxide, and calcium.
A comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) also contains the liver function test.
Below are the normal ranges of the blood chemistry measured in a BMP:
Normal Range
- Glucose (sugar)
- Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
- Creatinine
- BUN:creatinine ratio
- eGFR
- Sodium (Na)
- Potassium (K)
- Chloride (Cl)
- Carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Calcium
70 to 99mg/dL
5 to 20mg/dL
.74 to 1.04mg/dL
10:1 to 20:1
90 mL/min/1.73m2
135 to 145 mEq/L
3.6 to 5.2 millimoles per liter
96 to 106mEq/L
23 to 29mEq/L
8.6 to 10.3 mg/dL
Below are some common abnormalities on the basic metabolic panel (BMP):
Blood glucose levels are used to diagnose diabetes, track diabetes therapy, and diagnose certain rare conditions. A blood glucose level of 100 to 125mg/dL after an 8 hour fast indicates prediabetes. A level of 126mg/dL indicates diabetes. Diabetic patients test their blood sugar levels to regulate the amount of insulin or other medications needed. If the level is consistently high, an increase in medication or exercise might be needed, or a dietary adjustment. A low blood sugar level (hypoglycemia), below 70mg/dL, can indicate too much medication, too much activity, or not enough food. Certain rare conditions, such as insulin-producing tumors, can also result in hypoglycemia.