• Routine chemistry tests include BMP and CMP:
Basic metabolic panel (BMP) includes 8 tests: electrolytes (Na, K, Cl, HCO3, Ca), renal function tests (BUN, Creatinine), and glucose.
Comprehensive metabolis panel (CMP) includes the 8 tests in BMP plus 6 additional tests: liver function tests (AST, ALT, Alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin), and protein markers (albumin, total protein).
• Not part of the BMP/CMP but are routinely obtained tests including:
Magnesium, Phosphorous: electrolytes measured frequently in hospitalized (especially surgical) patients
GGT, Direct bilirubin: aid in diagnosis of liver diseases
Lipids: commonly screened in primary care setting
• Depending on the clinical scenarios, additional diagnostic tests that are more organ/tissue specific such as lipids, uric acid, cardiac markers, muscle enzymes, and endocrine hormones (thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pituitary, ADH) may be added.
• Indicators for certain disease processes such as systemic inflammation, tissue injury & ischemia, or sepsis might be also considered.
• Details on test characteristics and utilities, along with lists of differential diagnoses and algorithms deriving from test results, are covered separately (click on each box below to learn more).
