| Dialysis | Kidney disease | Transplant
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August 04, 2022, 10:15am EDT
Reading your comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) results doesn’t have to be intimidating. Use the following as a guide but remember that everyone is different, so always speak with your healthcare provider regarding your results. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, seek a second opinion, or ask for more testing—they are here to help.
What is a CMP?
A CMP is a simple and safe blood test. The test provides important information about your body’s chemical balance and metabolism, which is the way in which your body uses food and energy. Some of the tests included in the CMP provide information about your:
- Kidneys
- Electrolytes
- Calcium
- Protein
- Liver
- Blood sugar
Getting a CMP can be part of a routine check-up or if your healthcare professional suspects liver or kidney disease. Since kidney disease has few symptoms in its early stages, frequent testing is the best way to catch it, so requesting this test is a great way to keep a better eye on your kidney function and overall health.
"Unless you are doing an annual checkup," said 46-year kidney transplant recipient George Franklin III, "getting blood work, or so forth, you don't know what's going on inside your body. My kidney failed because of glomerulonephritis…not something that generally shows up unless you're having a checkup or some bloodwork."
Take this one-minute quiz to help determine if you are at risk of developing kidney disease and bring the results to your healthcare provider to help get the conversation started.
How do I read my results?
Test | Purpose | Normal ranges1 |
| Albumin | Albumin is an important protein found in the blood. | 3.4 to 5.4 g/dL (34 to 54 g/L) |
| ALP (alkaline phosphatase)2 | This is an important enzyme found in the liver, kidneys, and bones. | 20 to 130 U/L |
| ALT (alanine aminotransferase)3 | ALT is an important enzyme found mostly in the liver. | 4 to 36 U/L |
| AST (aspartate aminotransferase)4 | AST is an important enzyme found in the liver, heart, and muscles. | 8 to 33 U/L |
| BUN (blood urea nitrogen) | Urea nitrogen is a normal waste product that occurs from the breakdown of protein. The kidneys remove it from the blood, so if kidney function slows down, BUN levels rise. | 6 to 20 mg/dL (2.14 to 7.14 mmol/L) |
| Serum calcium | This is a mineral stored mainly in your bones. | 8.5 to 10.2 mg/dL (2.13 to 2.55 mmol/L) |
| Chloride5 | An electrolyte used to help control fluid in the body. | 96 to 106 mEq/L (96 to 106 mmol/L) |
| CO2 (carbon dioxide)6 | An electrolyte used to help control fluid in the body. | 23 to 29 mEq/L (23 to 29 mmol/L) |
| Creatinine | Creatinine is a waste product from muscle wear and tear that everyone has in their blood. Too much may indicate kidney issues. Doctors use these results to help determine eGFR. | 0.6 to 1.3 mg/dL (53 to 114.9 µmol/L) |
| Glucose (sugar) | Sugar is an important energy source for the body but high or uncontrolled blood sugar can cause damage. This test checks for diabetes, the leading cause of kidney failure. | 70 to 100 mg/dL (3.9 to 5.6 mmol/L) |
| Potassium | Potassium is a mineral found in many foods that help keep heartbeats regular and muscles working right. | 3.7 to 5.2 mEq/L (3.70 to 5.20 mmol/L) |
| Sodium | Sodium is a mineral found in foods and is a major part of table salt. If the kidneys are not healthy, sodium and fluid can build up in the body. | 135 to 145 mEq/L (135 to 145 mmol/L) |
| Total bilirubin7 | Found in a fluid made by the liver. | 0.1 to 1.2 mg/dL (2 to 21 µmol/L) |
| Total protein | Protein helps build muscle, heal, fight infection, and stay healthy. | 6.0 to 8.3 g/dL (60 to 83 g/L) |
Need help making sense of your lab values?
Call our toll-free at 855.NKF.CARES (855.653.2273) or email nkfcares@kidney.org to speak with a trained specialist who will answer your questions and listen to your concerns. It's designed for patients, family members, and care partners affected by kidney disease, organ donation, or transplantation.
Learn more about NKF Cares.
Works Cited
1A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia [Internet]; c1997-2022. Comprehensive metabolic panel; [updated 2021 Jan 24; reviewed 2021 Jan 25; cited 2022 July 14.] Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003468.htm
2A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia [Internet]; c1997-2022. ALP - blood test; [updated 2021 May 01; reviewed 2021 May 01; cited 2022 August 02.] Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003470.htm
3A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia [Internet]; c1997-2022. Alanine transaminase (ALT) blood test; [updated 2021 Jan 24; reviewed 2021 Jan 24; cited 2022 August 02.] Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003473.htm
4A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia [Internet]; c1997-2022. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) blood test; [updated 2021 Jan 24; reviewed 2021 Jan 24; cited 2022 August 02.] Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003472.htm
5A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia [Internet]; c1997-2022. Chloride test - blood; [updated 2021 May 01; reviewed 2021 May 01; cited 2022 August 02.] Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003485.htm
6A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia [Internet]; c1997-2022. CO2 blood test; [updated 2021 May 01; reviewed 2021 May 01; cited 2022 August 02.] Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003469.htm
7A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia [Internet]; c1997-2022. Bilirubin blood test; [updated 2021 Jan 24; reviewed 2021 Jan 24; cited 2022 August 02.] Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003469.htm
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