A basic metabolic panel is a blood test that measures sugar, electrolyte levels, and kidney function. It consists of eight tests, including glucose, sodium, and potassium levels, as well as blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels. Any abnormalities should be addressed by a physician.
A basic metabolic panel is a blood test that measures sugar and electrolyte levels in the body. It also measures the functioning of the kidneys. This medical test is one of the most common blood tests ordered by doctors to help diagnose and treat many health conditions.
The basic metabolic panel consists of eight tests. A glucose level is part of this blood work. Glucose is a specific type of sugar that the body uses for energy. If the level is too high it could indicate diabetes or it could be a reaction to medication.
Another important component of the basic metabolic panel is your sodium level. Sodium is both an electrolyte and a mineral. If the sodium level in the blood is too high, the patient is at risk of a heart attack or stroke. High levels of sodium also cause the body to retain fluids, causing swelling in the extremities. Low sodium can cause confusion and muscle weakness.
Potassium is another important piece of this panel. Potassium regulates the amount of fluid entering and leaving the body’s cells. A potassium level that is too high or too low can have serious consequences. Abnormal levels can cause weakness, confusion, paralysis and heart rhythm disturbances. Potassium levels can be affected by medications, diseases, and other electrolytes in the body.
In addition to blood electrolyte levels, a basic metabolic panel will also check kidney function. It does this by testing blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and blood creatinine levels. Both of these tests will let your doctor know important information about how well your kidneys are working or if certain medications are harming your kidney function.
Urea is a byproduct of protein that is produced in the liver and excreted in the urine. If the kidneys are unable to remove urea from the body, the blood urea nitrogen level will be high. Creatinine is a waste product that is filtered through the kidneys. If your kidneys are damaged, your blood creatinine levels will be high. BUN and creatinine levels will also be high if an individual is dehydrated.
Any abnormality in a basic metabolic panel should be addressed by a physician. If an individual has been ill, electrolyte levels may be abnormal. In most cases, these levels stabilize once the individual is well. Sometimes your doctor may need to change your medications to correct abnormalities.
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