Basic Metabolic Panel

A basic metabolic panel is a blood test that measures your sugar (glucose) level, Reference electrolyte Opens New Window and fluid balance, and Reference kidney Opens New Window function.

Glucose is a type of sugar your body uses for energy. Electrolytes keep your body's fluids in balance. They also help keep your body working normally, including your heart rhythm, muscle contraction, and brain function. The kidneys help keep the right balance of water, salts, and minerals in the blood. Kidneys also filter out waste and other unneeded substances from the blood.

If you take any medicines, such as diuretics for Reference high blood pressure Opens New Window, your doctor may order a basic metabolic panel to see if the medicines are affecting your kidneys or your electrolytes. Your doctor also may order this panel as part of a regular health examination or to help diagnose a medical condition.

This panel measures the blood levels of sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, carbon dioxide, glucose, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine. For more information, see the topics:

• Reference Sodium.
• Reference Potassium.
• Reference Calcium.
• Reference Chloride.
• Reference Carbon Dioxide (Bicarbonate).
• Reference Glucose.
• Reference Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN).
• Reference Creatinine.

You may be asked to stop eating and drinking for 10 to 12 hours before you have this blood test.

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