Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP) Plasma
It checks electrolytes, kidney function, glucose, and acid-base balance in one blood draw, with easy ordering and clear results through Vitals Vault/Quest.
This panel bundles multiple biomarker tests in one order—your report explains how results fit together.
A Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP) is one of the most common blood tests because it gives a fast, practical snapshot of how your body is handling fluids, salts (electrolytes), blood sugar, and kidney filtration.
Your BMP result is not “one number.” It is a set of measurements that often move together, which is why it can clarify why you feel off (for example, dehydration, medication effects, or changes in kidney function) even when symptoms are non-specific.
Because the BMP is frequently repeated over time, it is also a useful trend test. A small change that is still “in range” can matter more when you compare it to your prior baseline and your current situation.
Do I need a Basic Metabolic Panel Plasma test?
You may want a BMP if you have symptoms that could relate to hydration, electrolytes, blood sugar, or kidney function. That can include unusual fatigue, dizziness, muscle cramps or weakness, increased thirst or urination, nausea, or confusion—especially if symptoms started after an illness, heavy sweating, travel, or a medication change.
A BMP is also commonly ordered when you are starting or adjusting medicines that can affect electrolytes or kidneys, such as diuretics (“water pills”), blood pressure medications that act on the kidneys, or certain anti-inflammatory pain relievers used frequently. It is a routine check before many procedures and is often used to monitor chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or kidney disease.
If you already have a result and you are trying to interpret it, the BMP is best read as a pattern rather than isolated flags. Your clinician may pair it with other labs (like a complete blood count, urinalysis, or hemoglobin A1c) to confirm the “why” behind an abnormal value.
This test supports clinician-directed care and shared decision-making, but it cannot diagnose a condition by itself.
BMP components are measured on validated clinical chemistry analyzers in CLIA-certified labs; results should be interpreted with your symptoms, medications, and repeat testing when appropriate.
Lab testing
Order a Basic Metabolic Panel Plasma when you want a baseline or a timely re-test after changes in health or meds.
Schedule online, results typically within about a week
Clear reporting and optional clinician context
HSA/FSA eligible where applicable
Get this test with Vitals Vault
Vitals Vault lets you order a Basic Metabolic Panel Plasma for yourself when you want a clear baseline, you are tracking a change over time, or you need a timely recheck after illness, dehydration, or a medication adjustment.
After your blood draw, you can review results in one place and use PocketMD to ask focused questions like what a mild creatinine rise could mean for you, whether a sodium change fits your hydration status, or what follow-up labs are commonly paired with a BMP.
If something is out of range, the goal is not to panic or self-treat. It is to understand what is most likely, what is urgent versus watch-and-retest, and what additional context (blood pressure, symptoms, meds, recent diet, and prior labs) changes the interpretation.
- Order online and test through a national lab network
- PocketMD helps you turn results into next-step questions
- Easy re-testing to confirm trends after changes in meds, illness, or hydration
Key benefits of Basic Metabolic Panel Plasma testing
- Checks core electrolytes that affect nerves, muscles, and heart rhythm (sodium, potassium, chloride, CO2).
- Screens kidney filtration and hydration-related changes using BUN and creatinine.
- Measures blood glucose to flag possible hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia patterns.
- Assesses calcium, which can shift with parathyroid issues, vitamin D status, and some medications.
- Helps interpret symptoms like cramps, weakness, dizziness, nausea, or “brain fog” when the cause is not obvious.
- Supports medication monitoring (for example, diuretics, ACE inhibitors/ARBs, and frequent NSAID use).
- Creates a repeatable baseline so you can track meaningful trends over time with PocketMD guidance.
What is a Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP) Plasma?
A Basic Metabolic Panel is a group of blood chemistry tests run together from a plasma sample. It focuses on electrolytes, kidney-related markers, glucose, and calcium—systems that are tightly connected to hydration, blood pressure regulation, and how your cells maintain a stable internal environment.
The BMP is often used as a “first look” because it can quickly show whether your body is concentrated from dehydration, whether your kidneys may be under stress, or whether your blood sugar is running high or low. It does not directly measure hormones or inflammation, and it does not replace more specific tests when a problem is suspected.
Many labs also report calculated values alongside the measured ones. For example, an anion gap may be calculated from sodium, chloride, and CO2 to help evaluate acid-base balance.
Why plasma?
Plasma is the liquid portion of blood after cells are removed, with clotting factors still present. Many chemistry analytes are routinely measured in plasma or serum, and your reference ranges depend on the lab method and specimen type.
How the BMP fits into real-world care
A BMP is commonly used to monitor chronic conditions, evaluate acute symptoms, and check safety when medications or illnesses could shift electrolytes or kidney function. Your best interpretation usually comes from comparing today’s values to your prior results and your current context.
What do my Basic Metabolic Panel Plasma results mean?
Low BMP-related results (what that can suggest)
“Low” depends on the specific component. Low sodium (hyponatremia) can occur with excess free water intake, certain medications, heart/liver/kidney conditions, or hormonal causes, and it can cause headache, nausea, or confusion when significant. Low potassium can happen with vomiting/diarrhea, diuretics, or low intake, and it may contribute to cramps, weakness, or palpitations. Low CO2 (bicarbonate) can point toward metabolic acidosis from diarrhea, kidney issues, or other causes, but it needs clinical context and sometimes follow-up testing.
In-range (optimal) BMP results
In-range values usually mean your electrolytes, kidney markers, glucose, and calcium are within the lab’s expected limits at the time of the draw. That is reassuring, but it does not always rule out a problem, especially if symptoms are new or severe. Your personal “optimal” is often your stable baseline, so a meaningful shift within the range can still matter if it is a change from your prior results. If you are monitoring a condition or medication, your clinician may target a tighter range for certain values.
High BMP-related results (what that can suggest)
High glucose can reflect diabetes, prediabetes, stress hyperglycemia, or a non-fasting sample, so it is often paired with hemoglobin A1c for a longer-term view. Elevated BUN and/or creatinine can suggest dehydration, reduced kidney filtration, high protein intake, or medication effects; the pattern and trend are more informative than a single value. High potassium can be urgent in some situations and may be related to kidney function, certain blood pressure medications, or sample handling issues, so repeat confirmation is sometimes needed. High calcium can occur with dehydration, parathyroid-related causes, or other conditions and often leads to follow-up testing if persistent.
Factors that influence BMP results
Hydration status is a major driver: dehydration can concentrate sodium, BUN, and calcium, while overhydration can dilute some values. Recent vomiting, diarrhea, heavy sweating, intense exercise, or IV fluids can shift electrolytes quickly. Medications matter, including diuretics, ACE inhibitors/ARBs, certain antibiotics, lithium, and frequent NSAID use, as well as supplements that contain potassium. Fasting status mainly affects glucose, and lab-to-lab reference ranges can differ, so compare results using the same lab when possible.
What’s included
- Bun/Creatinine Ratio
- Calcium
- Carbon Dioxide
- Chloride
- Creatinine
- Egfr
- Glucose
- Potassium
- Sodium
- Urea Nitrogen (Bun)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to fast for a Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)?
Fasting is not always required for a BMP, but it can make the glucose result easier to interpret. If your goal is to evaluate blood sugar, ask your clinician or follow the lab instructions you were given (often 8–12 hours fasting). Water is typically fine unless you were told otherwise.
What is the difference between a BMP and a CMP?
A BMP focuses on electrolytes, kidney markers, glucose, and calcium. A Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) includes everything in a BMP plus liver-related tests (such as ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin) and usually total protein and albumin.
What does CO2 mean on a BMP?
CO2 on a BMP is a blood chemistry estimate of bicarbonate, which helps reflect your body’s acid-base balance. A low value can occur with metabolic acidosis (for example, from diarrhea or some kidney issues), while a high value can occur with metabolic alkalosis (for example, from vomiting or certain diuretics). Interpretation depends on your symptoms and other labs.
Why are BUN and creatinine both on the panel?
They provide complementary clues about kidney filtration and hydration. Creatinine is influenced by muscle mass and kidney clearance, while BUN is more sensitive to hydration status, protein intake, and some medications. Looking at both together—and the trend over time—helps your clinician judge what is most likely.
What is a normal eGFR, and should I worry if mine is slightly low?
eGFR is an estimate of kidney filtration calculated from creatinine (and sometimes age and sex, depending on the equation used). A mildly reduced eGFR can be temporary (for example, dehydration) or reflect chronic kidney changes, so the next step is often to repeat the test, review medications, and consider urine testing for protein if it persists.
Can dehydration change my BMP results?
Yes. Dehydration can raise BUN and sometimes creatinine, and it can also concentrate sodium and calcium. If you were sick, sweating heavily, or not drinking normally, your clinician may recommend rechecking once you are back to your usual hydration.
How often should I repeat a BMP?
It depends on why you are testing. For medication monitoring or an abnormal result, rechecks may be recommended in days to weeks. For stable chronic conditions, it may be checked every few months or annually. Your clinician can tailor timing based on your baseline, symptoms, and risk factors.