Basic Metabolic Panel
Quest Diagnostics
Sample type: Serum
Requires fasting: No
Phlebotomy required
Details
The Basic Metabolic Panel is a set of 8 tests that give important information about the body's chemical balance and metabolism. This includes checking the body's electrolytes, glucose levels, kidney function, and acid-base balance. It's often part of a routine check-up or physical exam.
- Creatinine
- BUN/Creatinine Ratio
- Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate
- Calcium
- Blood Urea Nitrogen
- Carbon Dioxide
- Chloride
- Potassium
- Sodium
- Glucose (Blood)
Estimated days for results: Results should be available in 2 - 5 business days after the sample is collected
The Basic Metabolic Panel is a set of 8 tests that give important information about the body's chemical balance and metabolism. This includes checking the body's electrolytes, glucose levels, kidney function, and acid-base balance. It's often part of a routine check-up or physical exam.
Why is this test ordered?
Providers order this panel during hospital admissions, emergency-room visits, and to keep an eye on patients with conditions like hypertension, especially if they're taking diuretics or other treatments. It helps in monitoring vital signs and metabolism in hospitalized patients.
What does it tell us?
Changes in the test results can indicate issues like kidney failure, respiratory problems, and changes in cognitive function. Abnormal levels of sodium, potassium, and calcium can affect muscle, heart, and nerve functions, leading to symptoms like arrhythmias, weakness, and tremors.
Understanding the components:
- Sodium: Important for water distribution and pressure in the body.
- Potassium: Key for muscle and nerve function.
- Chloride: Maintains fluid balance, blood volume, blood pressure, and body fluid pH.
- CO2 (Bicarbonate): Assesses the body's acid-base balance.
- Glucose: Essential energy source, helps diagnose diabetes and hypoglycemia.
- Calcium: Crucial for nerve, muscle, heart functions, and bone health.
- BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen): Indicates kidney function.
- Creatinine: Helps diagnose kidney issues and check filtration rate.
What type of sample is required for this test?
1 mL serum.
2–5 business days
Fasting for 8 hours before your blood draw is recommended but not required.
- Fasting before a blood draw means you don't eat or drink anything except water.
- Your doctor should provide any special instructions related to fasting for your test. Always follow your doctor's instructions.
Blood Draw Options with Fullscript
Fullscript offers several convenient phlebotomy options to complete your lab testing:
Quest Diagnostics Patient Service Centers (PSC)
- Location: Visit a nearby Quest Diagnostics Patient Service Center.
- Cost: $10 sample collection fee (paid during lab order checkout).
- Scheduling: Schedule your appointment here. Appointments are recommended to reduce wait times. Walk-ins are accepted, but may experience delays. Aim to arrive 10 minutes before your appointment.
- Collection Instructions:
- Bring a valid ID.
- Bring your digital or printed requisition form, available in the Labs tab of your Fullscript account.
- Check-in: Scan the QR code from your confirmation email or follow kiosk instructions.
- More Info: Quest Diagnostics blood draw guide
Getlabs Mobile Phlebotomy
- Location: Sample collection at your home or office.
- Cost: $85 sample collection fee (paid during lab order checkout).
- Availability: Available in most locations – enter your ZIP code during checkout to confirm.
- Scheduling: Schedule your appointment here through your Fullscript account.
- Collection Instructions:
- Have your digital or printed requisition form and valid ID ready.
- Your phlebotomist will contact you by phone to coordinate arrival.
- More Info: Getlabs blood draw guide
Specimen
- Preferred Specimen(s): 1 mL serum
- Alternative: NA
- Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL
- Collection Instructions: NA
Storage and shipping instructions
- Transport Container: Serum separator tube (SST)
- Transport Temperature: Room Temperature
- Specimen Stability:
- Room temperature: 72 hours
- Refrigerated: 72 hours
- Frozen: 28 days
- Reject Criteria: NA
State restrictions:
Patient can't order this test if they are located in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, New Jersey, New York, or Rhode Island
