Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Reviewed
A routine blood test that measures 14 substances to provide information about your metabolism, liver and kidney health, blood glucose, protein levels, and fluid and electrolyte balance.
Preparation and collection
You may need to fast (not eat or drink) for several hours before the test.
Understanding this test
Use the reference interval and units printed by the laboratory that performed the test. A result outside that interval is not a diagnosis by itself, and a result inside it does not rule out every condition. Your symptoms, history, medicines, timing, and related tests can change what the result means.
- A CMP provides a snapshot of your metabolism but does not diagnose specific conditions on its own.
- Abnormal results may be due to medications, diet, or temporary factors.
- False positives or negatives are possible; confirmatory tests are often needed.
- Reference ranges may vary between laboratories; your provider will interpret results based on the lab's range.
What to do next
If your results are abnormal, your provider will likely recommend additional tests to confirm or rule out a specific diagnosis. Discuss your results with your provider to understand what they mean for your health and whether any follow-up is needed.
Evidence source
U.S. National Library of Medicine: Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)