CMP 15 values Updated Apr 17, 2026

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) (CMP) is a blood test panel that measures a broad set of chemistry values in a lab report. It includes glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, carbon dioxide, total protein, albumin, magnesium, phosphorus, globulin, and anion gap. The CMP is one of the most common lab panels used for a broad snapshot of blood chemistry. Its CMP results can be reviewed as a group or by individual value, depending on the blood test context and the normal CMP range shown by the lab.

Read the CMP guide

What Is a CMP?

CMP stands for Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP). It is one of the most commonly ordered lab panels and is often listed in a blood test or lab report as a grouped chemistry panel. The CMP includes glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, carbon dioxide, total protein, albumin, magnesium, phosphorus, globulin, and anion gap. In many lab reports, these values are shown with both the measured result and the normal CMP range used by that lab. The CMP blood test gives a broad look at several related chemistry values rather than a single measurement.

Why Is It Ordered?

The CMP is often included in routine checkups, pre-procedure screening, and ongoing health monitoring over time. It provides a snapshot of blood chemistry values that can be tracked across different lab reports. CMP blood test results can also be compared from one date to another when a record set includes more than one panel. This makes CMP useful for data review, trend tracking, and lab report organization.

What Does It Include?

CMP values can be grouped by type in a lab report. Glucose is listed on the panel as a single blood sugar-related value. Kidney-related chemistry markers include blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Electrolyte values include sodium, potassium, chloride, carbon dioxide, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, along with the anion gap that is often reported alongside these measures. Protein-related values include total protein, albumin, and globulin. In a CMP blood test, each result is usually shown with the lab’s reference interval so the CMP results can be read against the normal CMP range.

Tests in This Panel

Glucose

Glucose is the amount of glucose, or blood sugar, measured in a blood sample. On a lab report, Glucose helps show how much sugar is circulating in the blood at the time of the test. In a metabolic panel, the Glucose result is often reviewed alongside other chemistry markers to give a broader snapshot of blood chemistry.

Adult Male mg/dL
70
99

Blood Urea Nitrogen

BUN

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) is a lab value that measures the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood, a waste product made from protein breakdown. It is reported as BUN on a blood test or Blood Urea Nitrogen on a lab report and helps describe how blood chemistry is changing over time.

Adult Male mg/dL
7
20

Creatinine

Creatinine is a waste product measured in blood and used as part of a metabolic panel. It is commonly shown on a blood test as Creatinine and helps describe how the body is handling muscle breakdown products and fluid balance. The Creatinine test is often read with other lab values to understand overall blood chemistry.

Adult Male mg/dL
0.74
1.35

Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate

eGFR

Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) is a calculated lab value that estimates how well the kidneys filter blood. On a lab report, eGFR is usually reported from creatinine, age, sex, and sometimes race-adjusted equations, and it helps show overall filtering capacity. eGFR is commonly included on a metabolic panel and is often reviewed with creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN).

Adult Male mL/min/1.73 m²
90
120

Sodium

Na

Sodium (Na) is a lab value that measures the amount of sodium in blood, usually reported in mmol/L. Sodium on a blood test helps show how concentrated the blood sample is and how water balance is reflected in the result. On a metabolic panel, Na is read alongside other chemistry markers to describe the overall composition of the blood sample.

Adult Male mmol/L
135
145

Potassium

K

Potassium (K) is a blood electrolyte measured on a lab report to show how much K is circulating in the bloodstream. It is commonly included in a metabolic panel and helps describe fluid balance, cell function, and the overall chemical makeup of blood. High or low K values on a blood test are read alongside other markers such as sodium and creatinine.

Adult Male mmol/L
3.5
5

Chloride

Cl

Chloride (Cl) is a blood chemistry value that measures the amount of chloride, a major charged mineral in the fluid outside cells. On a lab report, Cl helps describe fluid balance and how the body keeps electrolytes in a steady range. It is commonly included in a Metabolic Panel and reported in mmol/L.

Adult Male mmol/L
98
106

Calcium

Ca

Calcium (Ca) is a blood chemistry value reported on a metabolic panel that shows how much calcium is present in the sample. Calcium on a lab report is read as part of the body’s overall mineral and fluid balance, and the Ca result is often considered alongside albumin and other metabolic markers. It helps describe whether the Calcium normal range is being maintained or whether the Calcium test result is higher or lower than expected.

Adult Male mg/dL
8.6
10.2

Carbon Dioxide

CO2

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is a blood test value that measures the total amount of carbon dioxide in serum or plasma, mostly as bicarbonate. It is commonly included in a metabolic panel and helps describe blood chemistry balance on a CO2 on a blood test. The Carbon Dioxide result is often read alongside other metabolic panel markers to understand overall fluid and acid-base patterns.

Adult Male mmol/L
22
30

Total Protein

Total Protein is a lab value that measures the overall amount of protein in blood. Total Protein on a lab report helps summarize the protein balance of the fluid part of blood and is often reviewed as part of a metabolic panel. Changes in Total Protein can reflect shifts in hydration, protein levels in the bloodstream, or other factors that influence blood composition.

Adult Male g/dL
6
8.3

Albumin

Albumin is a blood protein measured on a lab report to show how much of this major transport protein is present in the blood. In a Metabolic Panel, Albumin helps describe blood composition, protein balance, and fluid status. Albumin test results are often reviewed with other markers to understand whether the value is within the Albumin normal range or shifted high or low.

Adult Male g/dL
3.5
5

Magnesium

Mg

Magnesium (Mg) is a mineral measured on a blood test as part of some metabolic panels. It helps describe the balance of Mg in blood and how it compares with the Magnesium normal range on a lab report. This lab value is read with other markers to understand the overall chemistry pattern, not by itself.

Adult Male mg/dL
1.7
2.2

Phosphorus

P

Phosphorus (P) is a mineral measured in blood to show how much phosphorus is circulating in the body. On a lab report, it is often used in a metabolic panel to help describe mineral balance and how the body is handling intake, release, and removal of P.

Adult Male mg/dL
2.5
4.5

Globulin

Globulin is the non-albumin protein fraction measured on a blood test and shown on a lab report. The globulin value on a lab report describes the blood protein balance and is often reviewed together with albumin and the albumin/globulin ratio (A/G ratio). A globulin test result is interpreted against the globulin normal range printed by the laboratory, and results can shift with hydration, sample handling, and lab method. Total globulin on a blood test is usually reported in g/dL.

Adult Male g/dL
2
3.4

Anion Gap

Anion Gap is a calculated value from a metabolic panel that reflects the balance between measured positively and negatively charged substances in blood. On an Anion Gap on a lab report or Anion Gap on a blood test, it helps summarize how the basic chemistry results fit together. The Anion Gap test is commonly reported in mmol/L and is read with other metabolic panel values for context.

Adult Male mmol/L
8
16

How to Prepare

Some CMP blood test orders are drawn with fasting instructions, while others are not. The lab report or collection site typically notes whether fasting is part of the CMP setup. A standard blood sample is usually collected from a vein and processed as a serum or plasma chemistry panel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does CMP stand for?
CMP stands for Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP). In a lab report, CMP is the short form used for this blood test panel. The abbreviation appears often because CMP is a common label for grouped chemistry values.
What does a CMP blood test measure?
A CMP blood test measures glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, carbon dioxide, total protein, albumin, magnesium, phosphorus, globulin, and anion gap. The CMP results are shown as a set of related values in one lab report. This makes the CMP useful for reviewing several chemistry measures at the same time.
Do I need to fast for a CMP test?
Fasting for a CMP test depends on the lab order and collection instructions. Some CMP blood test setups are drawn without fasting, while others include a fasting note in the lab report or appointment details. The requirement is usually listed with the CMP instructions.
What's the difference between CMP and a Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)?
CMP and a Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP) are both chemistry blood tests, but CMP includes more values. A CMP blood test adds protein-related measures such as total protein, albumin, and globulin, along with magnesium and phosphorus in the panel described here. BMP is the more limited panel, while CMP gives a broader lab report snapshot.
What are normal CMP results?
Normal CMP results mean the values fall within the lab’s reference interval for that report. The normal CMP range can differ by laboratory, sample method, and age group. A CMP lab report should always be read using the range printed next to each value.
How often is a CMP test ordered?
A CMP test may be ordered on a routine schedule, before a procedure, or during ongoing monitoring over time. The timing depends on the reason for the blood test and how often the lab report needs to be updated. CMP blood test frequency can vary from one record set to another.
How are flagged CMP values read?
Flagged CMP values are usually marked when a result falls outside the lab’s reference interval. In a CMP lab report, flags help identify which values differ from the normal CMP range. The flag does not change the value itself; it only highlights the result on the blood test.
Why do CMP results vary between labs?
CMP results can vary between labs because different labs may use different instruments, methods, and reference intervals. A value that appears within range on one lab report may be flagged on another if the normal CMP range is not the same. This is why CMP blood test results are best read using the specific lab’s printed ranges.

Disclaimer

This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendation. Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Always discuss your results with a qualified healthcare professional.