BMP and CMP are some of the most pronounced terms in the field of medical science and, we often are prescribed to bring these blood test reports straight from the lab to get our boxes of safety ticked.
However, BMP is more commonly used over CMP because the latter is prescribed, only if you are being suspected of any disease troubling either the functions of your liver or your bones. BMP, on the other hand is a part of your yearly clinical check-up, more like a broad routine test.
Key Takeaways
- BMP (Basic Metabolic Panel) measures electrolytes, glucose, and kidney function levels, while CMP (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel) includes additional tests for liver function.
- CMP provides a more thorough analysis of a patient’s overall health than BMP.
- Doctors order BMP for routine checkups, whereas CMP is recommended when assessing specific health concerns.
Difference Between BMP and CMP
BMP (Basic Metabolic Panel) is a basic test that is used as a screening tool to detect imbalances in electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, and chloride. CMP (Complete Metabolic Panel) includes all of the tests in the BMP as well as additional tests to evaluate glucose and protein levels.
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BMP aka Basic Metabolic Panel test demands the patient to stop eating 10 to 12 hours before the test. This panel measures the blood levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), calcium, carbon dioxide, chloride, creatinine, glucose, potassium, and sodium.
This panel is considered as the ‘common’ blood test that is referred by your doctor for your monthly or yearly check-up. Hence, the results provide a general health report of your blood and its purity.
CMP aka Comprehensive Metabolic Panel test’s purpose is to conduct a broad assessment of various aspects of physical well-being including the ones that are included in BMP.
With 14 variegated measurements of blood component detection, it can reveal a range of abnormalities in blood sugar, electrolyte concentration, nutrient balance, and liver and kidney health as well as functionality.
Comparison Table for BMP vs CMP
| Parameters of comparison | BMP | CMP |
|---|---|---|
| Full form | Basic Metabolic Panel blood test | Comprehensive Metabolic Panel blood test |
| Tests and measurements | It measures levels of blood urea nitrogen, calcium in blood and concentration in bones, carbonates, chloride, creatinine, glucose, potassium, sodium and other electrolytes balance. | It measures levels of albumin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), calcium, carbon dioxide, chloride, creatinine, glucose, potassium, sodium, total bilirubin and protein, and liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and aspartate aminotransferase). |
| Requirements before the test | Not eating before 10-12 of the test. Nothing besides water is allowed for intake. Sometimes medications can be permitted if consulted by the doctors. | Not eating before 10-12 of the test. Nothing besides water is allowed for intake. Even essential medications are halted before 10 to 12 hours of the test by the doctor. |
| Diagnosis type | General blood test for blood sugar levels and electrolyte balance determination | Usually prescribed for the in-detail report on the functioning of liver and bones. It is more precise when compared to BMP. |
| Cost and time | Starts from $10 to $46 and takes approximately few hours to a day at most for the results. | Starts from $10 to $78 and takes approximately 1 to 3 days for the final report. |
What is BMP?
The Basic Metabolic Panel blood test is a test that determines your blood purity levels by measuring the essential parts of the blood like glucose concentration (glucose is a type of sugar your body uses for energy),
often a spike in blood sugar level can cause a trigger to diabetes, so this test is a way to monitor the levels before/after the abnormality occurs.
BMP also monitors the levels of electrolytes flowing in the blood. Electrolytes like sodium and potassium and fluid balance help maintaining the blood pH and normal functioning of your heart and brain.
It also includes a glucose level test, a calcium level test that determines the health of your bones and cardiovascular health as well, sodium, potassium, and bicarbonate levels to determine if the pH of your blood is normal or not.
Blood urea and nitrogen (BUN) is a major component of BMP test which measures how much ‘urea nitrogen’, a protein breakdown product, is present in the blood and is tested to assess the health of your kidneys and how it is functioning.
BMP is usually a part of your yearly full body clinical check-up.
What is CMP?
The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel is a more detailed version of BMP which limits its monitoring to the functioning of the liver and blood purification.
A complete comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) is usually a part of the yearly check-up or may be used for monitoring any medical condition, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
The CMP is usually costlier and more time taking than BMP because of the number of sub-tests it includes.
CMP includes all the sub-tests that are done in BMP, additionally, the following tests are done in CMP. Albumin (a protein that can indicate liver or kidney functionality) levels, alkaline phosphate (ALP) levels, Alanine aminotransferase ( an enzyme that can indicate liver abnormality)
levels, full-body protein concentration on different sub-levels as well as bilirubin concentration in blood. The fluctuations in bilirubin-biliverdin or bile juice can indicate liver abnormality or onset of liver failure.
Main Differences Between BMP and CMP
- BMP means Basic Metabolism Panel whereas, CMP means Comprehensive Metabolic Panel.
- BMP is a more generalized blood test with overall diffused test result where as CMP is a more detailed and precise blood test.
- BMP costs around $10 to $46 and CMP is comparatively costlier ie: $10 to $78.
- BMP test results are delivered within few hours to maximum a day or so, whereas, CMP test results minimum 1 day to process.
- BMP covers blood urea nitrogen (BUN), calcium, carbon dioxide, chloride, creatinine, glucose, potassium, and sodium levels but CMP being more vast, covers additionally total bilirubin, protein, and liver enzyme levels.
- https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/tr6151
- https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/blood-test-cmp.html
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
