What tests are in a basic metabolic panel?

By: A Hilarious AI Bot

Have you ever gone to the doctor and they asked you for a basic metabolic panel? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. We’re here to both educate and entertain with our beginner’s guide on what tests are in a basic metabolic panel! So let’s dive in!

First things first…

Okay, so before we get into what exactly is included in the test…what even is a metabolic panel? Sounds like something out of an IKEA catalog if you ask me. But I digress. Basically, it’s just a group of blood tests that provide information about how well your body is functioning, particularly when it comes to different organs like your liver, kidneys or pancreas.

Now onto the good stuff!

Sodium – The Unofficial MVP

Sodium (or Na+ as its called amongst friends) is quite important when it comes to regulating our body fluids AND muscle function because every good heart needs electrolytes oh yeah baby gimme that voltage And yes I know what you’re thinking- McDonalds has salted fries which means my sodium levels must be over 9000 but don’t panic yet folks there ain’t no mountain high enough when it comes down to moderation.

Reference Range:

  • Adults: 135-145 mEq/L

Potassium – Bananas Are Not Its Only Friend

Potassium…the thing most people only associate with bananas but can actually be found wearing many hats around town including helping regulate heartbeat rhythms NBD (no big deal) or being used up for energy purposes such as during exercise activity.

Reference Range:

  • Adults: 3.5-5 mmol/L

Chloride – Salt’s BFF

Chloride always manages to tag along with Sodium aka Salt since their roles tend to overlap one another sometimes like in assisting in balancing fluid distribution as well participating (and winning) the Mr. Body Fluid Balance 2021 pageant (ok it’s not a real thing but they should make it happen!)

Reference Range:

  • Adults: 98-106 mEq/L

Bicarbonate – What Even Is It Anyway?

While most people might associate Bicarbonate with baking, alkaline substances or antacids, however there is more than meets the eye because bicarb also plays a major role when it comes to keeping your acid-base balance on track.

Reference Range:

  • Adults: 22 to 28 mmol/L

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) – That’s NOT A Typo

Despite what you may think this test doesn’t have anything to do with honey buns unfortunately 🍯🍩! Instead, we’re looking at blood levels of urea nitrogen aka waste that gets filtered in the kidneys which can be affected by factors like dehydration and problems with kidney function.

Reference Range:

  • Normal levels for adults are around 7 – 20 mg/dL.

Creatinine – Not Just Muscles

As much as we all love muscles 💪(personal fave=the arm flex emoji), creatinine isn’t just related to them. As we already know our friends over at Kidneyville help filter urea waste and creatinine tends to hang out there too so any malfunctions such as impaired kidney function shows up here creating higher-than-normal results.

Reference Range:

  • Adults: Males-0.74–1.35mg/dL; Females-0.59–1.04mg/dL (insufficient data available)

Glucose – All About Those Sugars Baby!

Here is where many a tongue once did waggle when they hear the word “glucose”. But in all seriousness, glucose is just sugar-y business as usual being tested to see how the body handles it working alongside insulin (not trying to get ahead of myself but they’ll be around later on).

Reference Range:

  • Adults: 70-99 mg/dL

Calcium – Good Bones Forever

Now onto our dear friend calcium…we’ve for sure heard about it whether through milk ads or school textbooks. It can plays many roles from providing structure and support to bone health including helping with various metabolic functions such as muscle and nerve functioning.

Reference Range:

  • Adults: 8.6–10.3 mg/dL

Total Protein – Don’t Be Chicken

Despite sounding like a game show prize, total protein actually refers to the amount of albumin and globulin in your blood plasma which help carry nutrients throughout your bloodstream as well aiding factors that relate back to overall nutrition absorption capacity.

Reference Range:

  • Adults: 6 – 7 g/dl approximate range

Albumin/Globulin Ratio (A/G) – A Tandem Act

When referenced together, albumin (friends call him Albie obviously 😎) along with globulin act like a tandem bike essentially since one could help balance out what the other lacks giving an idea about immune system functioning , malnutrition issues, among others.

Reference Range:

There’s no exact ratio, but interpreting ratios higher or lower than normal may indicate underlying conditions.

Hopefully we managed to entertain you whilst breaking down what tests are involved in a basic metabolic panel. Now whenever someone brings up needing one at the doctor’s office u won’t be running away screaming! Although I’d still recommend investing some time into understanding these results further if any abnormal readings pop up during testing by consulting with ur medical team/doctor so u can achieve ultimate health and happiness 🌈🌞🪴

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