What a Basic Metabolic Panel Tests and Why Doctors Order It

The 8 Tests in a Basic Metabolic Panel and Normal Ranges

A basic metabolic panel measures eight distinct substances that assess blood glucose, mineral levels, electrolyte balance and kidney filtration. MedlinePlus says that doctors order this panel as part of a routine checkup or in the emergency room. Providers also order testing for symptoms such as fatigue, confusion, breathing problems or vomiting. MedlinePlus adds that clinicians use the panel to monitor chronic conditions including high blood pressure and kidney disease.

According to Cleveland Clinic, clinicians use the panel to assess overall health, evaluate kidney function, check blood sugar, diagnose acute conditions and monitor chronic conditions. MedlinePlus defines glucose as a type of sugar and your body's main energy source. MedlinePlus calls calcium one of the body's most important minerals, needed for nerves, muscles and the heart. Sodium, potassium, carbon dioxide and chloride are electrolytes that control fluid and acid-base balance. Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine are waste products removed from your blood by your kidneys.

Ranges vary slightly by lab, per the MedlinePlus panel guide. Sex-specific adult ranges exist for certain markers. Cleveland Clinic's BUN test guide lists female adult BUN ranges as 6 to 21 mg/dL and male ranges as 8 to 24 mg/dL. Cleveland Clinic also reports that approximately 1 in 20 healthy people will have a result outside of the normal range. MedlinePlus notes abnormal results could reflect several health conditions and require further testing.

eGFR: The Kidney Number Calculated from Your BMP

Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) indicates how effectively kidneys filter waste from the bloodstream. According to the MedlinePlus GFR test guide, healthcare providers calculate eGFR by measuring creatinine levels during a basic metabolic panel. Clinicians enter the creatinine result with age and sex into a mathematical formula called a GFR calculator. MedlinePlus notes that laboratories can also calculate eGFR from cystatin C. MedlinePlus defines an eGFR of 90 to 100 as indicating you probably do not have kidney disease. A score between 60 and 90 indicates you may have early-stage kidney disease. A score of 15 to 60 indicates you may have kidney disease, while a score below 15 means you may have kidney failure.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) reports that a GFR of 60 or more sits in the normal range. NIDDK states that a GFR under 60 may mean you have kidney disease. A GFR of 15 or less is called kidney failure. NIDDK explains that providers use creatinine to estimate GFR and pair it with a urine albumin test. Urine albumin of 30 mg/g or less is normal, while higher levels suggest kidney disease. Detailed filtration stages are reviewed in the guide on kidney function tests.

Patterns That Matter: Dehydration, Kidneys, Potassium and Sodium

Abnormal basic metabolic panel patterns help healthcare providers identify dehydration, kidney impairment, acid-base imbalances and electrolyte disturbances. According to the MedlinePlus BUN guide, elevated BUN can signal that kidneys are not working properly. Dehydration, high-protein diets, burns, heart attacks and certain medications also raise BUN. Low BUN can stem from malnutrition, liver disease or insufficient protein intake. Cleveland Clinic states that if BUN is higher than expected and creatinine is also high, you likely have kidney failure.

Carbon dioxide testing reflects systemic acid-base regulation. The MedlinePlus carbon dioxide guide notes higher levels occur with dehydration, vomiting, excessive sweating, Cushing syndrome, heart failure and metabolic alkalosis. Lower levels occur with diarrhea, kidney disease, ketoacidosis, lactic acidosis and metabolic acidosis. The anion gap page covers the value labs calculate from the sodium, chloride and CO2 results.

The National Kidney Foundation defines high potassium as a blood level above 5.0 and states symptoms usually happen at levels higher than 6.0. The National Kidney Foundation states: "Sudden or severe hyperkalemia is a life-threatening condition. It requires immediate medical care." Emergency signs include heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea or vomiting. High potassium is common in advanced kidney disease. The MedlinePlus hyperkalemia guide lists causes including Addison disease, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), spironolactone, potassium supplements and salt substitutes. MedlinePlus notes emergency care is needed for very high levels or electrocardiogram (ECG) changes.

The MedlinePlus hypokalemia guide notes causes including diuretics, diarrhea, vomiting, laxative overuse, chronic kidney disease and excessive sweating. Mild cases can cause constipation, muscle weakness, spasms, fatigue and tingling. MedlinePlus warns: "A very low blood potassium level can even cause your heart to stop." Patients taking diuretics should contact a provider promptly if vomiting or diarrhea occurs.

The MedlinePlus hyponatremia guide defines normal sodium as 136 to 144 mEq/L. Causes of low sodium include diarrhea, diuretics, heart failure, kidney disease, cirrhosis, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH), sweating and vomiting. Symptoms include confusion, headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps and convulsions. MedlinePlus warns: "When your body's sodium level drops too much, it can be a life-threatening emergency."

The MedlinePlus calcium test guide notes high calcium can reflect hyperparathyroidism, Paget's disease, prolonged vitamin D excess or certain cancers, including cancer that spreads to the bone. Low calcium can indicate low blood protein, hypoparathyroidism, too little dietary calcium, vitamin D or magnesium, pancreatitis or kidney disease. The NIDDK diabetes diagnosis guidelines define fasting plasma glucose of 99 mg/dL or below as normal. Fasting levels between 100 and 125 mg/dL indicate prediabetes, while 126 mg/dL or higher indicates diabetes. NIDDK notes that doctors usually use a second test to confirm diabetes. Metabolic risk thresholds are detailed in the guide on prediabetes.

MedlinePlus and Cleveland Clinic print different normal ranges for six of the eight tests. Cleveland Clinic notes about 1 in 20 healthy people fall outside a normal range, so a single flagged value is read against the report's own range and the rest of the panel.

Do You Need to Fast for a BMP?

MedlinePlus says you may need to fast, meaning not eat or drink, for eight hours before a basic metabolic panel. Cleveland Clinic says you'll likely need to fast for at least eight hours. None of these sources explains how food intake affects the remaining seven tests on the panel.

Blood draw mechanics can also distort results. According to the MedlinePlus potassium test guide, repeated clenching and relaxing of your fist just before or during the blood draw may temporarily raise blood potassium levels. MedlinePlus reports that this muscle movement may lead to an incorrect result.

BMP vs CMP vs CBC

A basic metabolic panel evaluates eight blood chemistry markers, while a comprehensive metabolic panel adds six liver and protein tests, and a complete blood count (CBC) evaluates cellular components. The MedlinePlus CMP guide reports that a comprehensive metabolic panel measures 14 different substances. A basic metabolic panel includes 8 of those 14 tests. MedlinePlus states that a BMP does not measure total protein, albumin, bilirubin or liver enzymes including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). The comprehensive metabolic panel page covers the six extra tests.

The MedlinePlus CBC guide states that a CBC measures red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin, hematocrit and mean corpuscular volume (MCV). Clinicians use the CBC to monitor infections, anemia, immune system disorders and blood cancers. MedlinePlus says a CBC usually needs no special preparation. MedlinePlus adds that abnormal blood cell counts do not always indicate a condition requiring treatment. While a CBC counts cellular components, a basic metabolic panel measures dissolved chemical markers. The CBC page covers each count.

What a BMP Costs

Quest's and Labcorp OnDemand's consumer sites did not publish a stand-alone BMP price on October 2, 2026. Both sites instead publish pricing for the comprehensive panel that contains all eight BMP tests. Pricing on consumer lab portals varies over time. On Quest (questhealth.com), the published CMP list price was $49.00 plus a $6.00 Physician Service Fee as of October 2, 2026. Quest states that fasting for 8 to 12 hours is required. Quest notes that results are typically available within 1 to 2 business days.

On Labcorp OnDemand, the regular CMP price was $49.00, shown at $36.75 on October 2, 2026. Labcorp OnDemand requires fasting for 12 hours with no food or drink except water. Confirm the current price on Quest's CMP page or Labcorp OnDemand's CMP page before booking. The guide on reading blood test results covers how to interpret reported reference intervals alongside physician guidance. A basic metabolic panel does not diagnose chronic disease on its own. Compare each reported value directly against the reference interval listed on your lab report and discuss flagged out-of-range markers with your ordering physician.

Where to Find Metabolic Panel Test Kits