What Does a Blood Metabolic Panel & Lipid Panel Test For?
The basic and comprehensive metabolic panels are blood tests that show information about a patient's metabolism. The lipid panel is a blood test that measures a patient's risk of developing atherosclerosis. These blood tests are widely prescribed by doctors.
BUN and Creatinine
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, BUN, or blood urea nitrogen, is a basic metabolic panel test that measures the breakdown of protein by the kidneys. The creatinine basic metabolic test measures the ability of the kidneys to break down creatine from muscles.
CO2 and Glucose
The CO2 basic metabolic panel test measures carbon dioxide in the serum, or liquid portion of the blood, and is used to identify potential electrolyte imbalances, kidney disorders or lung problems. The glucose basic metabolic test measures blood sugar and is used to monitor diabetic patients and to identify the development of diabetes.
Chloride Potassium Sodium
Basic metabolic tests measure blood serum levels of chloride, potassium and sodium to identify electrolyte and body fluid imbalances.
Comprehensive
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, comprehensive metabolic panel tests include the same tests as the basic metabolic blood panel ands also test blood levels of albumin, calcium and bilirubin. Other blood tests in a comprehensive metabolic panel include uric acid, total protein and total cholesterol.
Lipid
According to the Mayo Clinic, a blood lipid panel test measures total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol to determine a patient's risk of developing atherosclerosis. Triglycerides are also tested in a lipid panel test.
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