Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP): All 14 Tests Explained with Normal Ranges

All 14 CMP Tests with Normal Ranges

CMP vs BMP: Which One Do You Need?

The BMP includes 8 of the 14 CMP tests — glucose, electrolytes (Na, K, Cl, CO2), BUN, creatinine, and calcium. It's a quick metabolic snapshot commonly used in emergency departments and for patients on medications that affect kidneys or electrolytes (diuretics, ACE inhibitors, metformin).

The CMP adds ALT, AST, ALP, bilirubin, albumin, and total protein — making it a better choice for annual physicals, new patient workups, and monitoring medications that affect the liver (statins, methotrexate, acetaminophen). The cost difference is typically $5–15, so most doctors default to the CMP for more complete information.

Key Patterns to Recognize

• Fasting glucose 100–125 mg/dL: Prediabetes range. Pair with A1C testing and fasting insulin for a complete picture. See our insulin resistance guide.
• BUN/creatinine ratio >20:1: Suggests dehydration, GI bleeding, or high-protein diet rather than intrinsic kidney disease. Isolated creatinine elevation? See our kidney function guide.
• ALT > AST with both <300 U/L: Classic pattern for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD/MASLD), the most common cause of mildly elevated liver enzymes in the US. See our liver function test guide.
• AST > ALT (especially AST/ALT ratio >2): Suggests alcohol-related liver damage or cirrhosis.
• Low albumin (<3.5 g/dL): Poor nutrition, chronic liver disease, nephrotic syndrome, or chronic inflammation. Albumin is a late-stage marker — it drops after significant disease progression.
• Hypercalcemia (>10.5 mg/dL): Most commonly primary hyperparathyroidism or malignancy. Always confirm with repeat measurement and check albumin-corrected calcium.

Fasting Requirements

Most labs require 8–12 hours of fasting before a CMP because glucose values are only interpretable in the fasting state. Water, black coffee, and medications (unless instructed otherwise) are typically fine during the fasting window. Schedule an early morning draw to minimize the inconvenience.

If you ate before the test: your glucose will be elevated but the other 13 values remain accurate. Some labs will flag 'non-fasting' and your doctor may ask you to repeat just the glucose portion.

Cost, Insurance Coverage & Billing Codes

The CMP is billed under CPT code 80053. Cash-pay price without insurance typically runs $15–$60 at major reference labs such as Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp and direct-to-consumer ordering services — hospital-affiliated or in-office draws often bill considerably higher, sometimes $100+, before any insurance adjustment. Because the CMP is one of the most routine and inexpensive panels in lab medicine, most insurance plans cover it in full as part of an annual physical, a new-patient workup, or monitoring for a diagnosed condition (diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease) or a medication that affects the kidneys or liver (diuretics, ACE inhibitors, metformin, statins). If ordered purely as an elective or 'wellness' test outside a covered visit, some plans apply it to your deductible instead of covering it as preventive care — check your specific plan or ask the ordering office to bill it as part of your annual exam if you're trying to avoid an out-of-pocket charge.

Where to Find Metabolic Panel Test Kits

Many labs and direct-to-consumer services let you order a metabolic panel test without a doctor's visit. If you'd rather compare kits yourself, here's where to start looking:

• At-home metabolic panel test kits on Amazon — compare brands, prices, and Prime shipping.