Chem 13 Blood Test
Brett Mcgalliard
A comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) is a routine blood test that measures 14 different substances in a sample of your blood. It provides important information about your metabolism (how your body uses food and energy) and the balance of certain chemicals in your body.
A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.
The results of your CMP test will usually list the levels of each of the 14 substances that were measured. To understand what your results mean, your provider will compare all the results. Your provider will also consider your health history, any medicines you take, and other things that could affect your test results. Ask your provider to explain what your CMP results say about your health.
In general, if you have one or more results that aren't normal, it may be a sign of a health condition. For example, high blood glucose may be a sign of diabetes. You will likely need more tests to confirm or rule out a specific diagnosis.
To help your child get ready for a blood test, find out if they need to fast (not eat or drink) or should stop taking medicines before the test. Explain what to expect during the test. If your child is anxious about it, work together on ways to stay calm.
Potassium is essential to regulating how the heart beats. Levels that are too high or too low can increase the risk of an abnormal heartbeat (an arrhythmia). Low potassium levels are also linked to muscle weakness and cramps.
Bicarbonate prevents the body's tissues from getting too much or too little acid. The kidneys and lungs balance bicarbonate levels. So if bicarbonate levels are too high or too low, it might indicate a problem with those organs.
Creatinine levels: High levels of creatinine (kree-AT-uh-neen) can be a sign of a kidney problem. The kidneys filter and excrete creatinine. So if they're not working as they should, creatinine can build up in the bloodstream. Both dehydration and muscle damage also can raise creatinine levels.
Glucose: This is the main type of sugar in the blood. It comes from the foods we eat and is the major source of energy needed to fuel the body's functions. Glucose levels that are too high or too low can cause problems. Diabetes is the main cause of high blood glucose levels. Other medical conditions and some medicines also can cause high blood glucose.
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Blood chemistry tests are blood tests that measure amounts of certain chemicals in a sample of blood. They show how well certain organs are working and can help find abnormalities. Blood chemistry tests may also be called chemistry panels.
There are many types of blood chemistry tests. They measure chemicals including enzymes, electrolytes, fats (also called lipids), hormones, sugars, proteins, vitamins and minerals. Often several chemicals are grouped together and measured at the same time.
Some medicines may also affect blood chemistry test results. You may be asked to stop taking certain medicines before having blood chemistry tests. Check if you should avoid any medicines and for how long.
Blood is usually taken from a vein in the arm. An elastic band (a tourniquet) is wrapped around your upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the veins easier to see. You may be asked to make a fist so the veins stand out more. The skin is cleaned and disinfected. A needle is inserted into the vein and a small amount of blood is removed. You may feel a prick or stinging sensation.
The blood is collected in a tube and labelled with your name and other identifying information. Sometimes more than one tube of blood is collected. The tourniquet is removed and the needle is withdrawn. You may feel mild discomfort when the needle is withdrawn. Pressure is applied to the area where the needle was inserted until bleeding stops. A small bandage may be put on the area.
Blood chemistry test results are given as numbers and often depend on certain factors including sex, age and medical history. They should be compared to a normal reference range and to previous results to have meaning.
Some blood chemistry tests show specific health problems. Other blood chemistry tests provide more general information that can give doctors clues to possible health problems. Information from blood chemistry tests may help doctors decide whether other tests or procedures are needed to make a diagnosis. The information may also help your doctor develop or revise treatment plans.
Preparing children before a test or procedure can help lower their anxiety, increase their cooperation and develop their coping skills. This includes explaining to children what will happen during the test, such as what they will see, feel and hear.
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Having regular lab tests (blood and sometimes urine tests) is necessary to care for your health. If you are living with HIV, you will probably have several such tests done. The complete blood count (CBC) and blood chemistry tests described below check your overall health, including whether you have side effects from your HIV medications. See our fact sheets on Understanding CD4 Cells and CD4 Cell Tests and Understanding Lab Tests II: Viral Load, Resistance, and Tropism for information on other tests that your health care provider may order.
When you are first diagnosed with HIV and when you first start taking HIV drugs, you will get "baseline" blood tests that show your health at that moment. Later tests can be compared against these results to see how things are going, and if they are changing. Most lab tests should be done every three to six months, or as often as your health care provider recommends.
Most lab reports show the normal range of results from each test and highlight any of your results that are outside the normal range. The ranges listed below are general and may not be exactly the same for your lab. Look at your lab report for the normal ranges.
Blood is made up of different types of cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The complete blood count (CBC) measures the amount of these cells in a sample of your blood. CBCs are especially important for people living with HIV because some HIV drugs and some infections can cause changes in the number of red or white blood cells.
Blood chemistry tests measure certain chemicals in your blood. Results of these tests give your health care provider important information about your general health, how well your organs (such as the liver and kidneys) are working, and whether you may be experiencing side effects from HIV drugs. Abnormal results can point to a problem that needs to be addressed. Important blood chemistry tests include:
Since many people living with HIV have no noticeable symptoms of health problems, it is important to get regular lab tests to monitor how you are doing. Abnormal blood tests can be a sign of serious health problems and need to be addressed as soon as possible so that you can remain healthy and strong.
Whether or not you are taking HIV drugs, all tests listed above are a key part of your medical care. Regular monitoring of the values above, as well as of viral load and CD4 cell count, is an important way to take charge of your health.
A blood chemistry panel is another common test used to evaluate a variety of components. Usually, it consists of about 7-25 tests. The information below is meant to provide an overview of these tests. Your doctor will counsel you regarding the results of your personal blood work and laboratory tests.
Electrolytes are ions (electrically charged chemicals) in the blood and other body fluids. The concentration of electrolytes in your body depends on adequate intake of nutrients, proper absorption of nutrients by the intestines, and proper kidney and lung function. Abnormal electrolyte concentrations can indicate abnormalities in certain organs and bodily processes. For example, retention of sodium, bicarbonate, or calcium can indicate problems with kidney function. Hormones also help to control electrolyte concentrations, so abnormal electrolyte levels can also reveal certain hormone deficiencies or problems with certain hormone-regulating glands or organs. Some of the electrolytes measured in a comprehensive metabolic panel are explained below.
Lupus and some of the medications used to treat lupus can affect the liver. In addition, factors such as excessive alcohol intake or viral hepatitis can affect the liver in people with lupus, just as they can in the normal population. Certain tests can be performed as part of a comprehensive metabolic panel to give insight into the function of your liver. In addition, your doctor may order a test called a liver panel if she/he suspects that you have symptoms of a liver disorder. Usually these tests measure certain liver enzymes, namely alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine amino transferase (ALT), and aspartate amino transferase (AST). Bilirubin, a waste product of the liver that is stored in the gall bladder, is also measured. These values can be used by your doctor as a screening or monitoring tool for liver involvement. About 30-60% of lupus patients experience abnormal liver function tests; some have no symptoms of liver disorder. Generally, increased levels correlate with increased activity, but other factors can contribute to elevated levels of liver enzymes in the blood. For example, NSAIDs, acetaminophen (Tylenol), and aspirin can cause liver enzyme values to increase, especially in people with lupus. If your doctor notices abnormal liver enzyme levels, she/he may ask you to undergo additional tests for hepatitis.
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