Chem 12 (comprehensive metabolic panel)

Description

A Chem 12 is also called a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) or a SMA-12. This test measures the blood chemistry and can diagnose kidney and liver diseases. The Chem 12 contains electrolytes (sodium, potassium, carbon dioxide, chloride), kidney tests (creatinine, blood urea nitrogen), proteins (albumin, total protein), liver tests (alkaline phosphatase, alanine amino transferase, aspartate amino transferase, bilirubin), glucose and calcium. The electrolytes become abnormal for many reasons including dehydration and adverse reactions to medications. Kidney failure causes the creatinine and blood urea nitrogen to increase. Problems with the liver results in elevations in the liver tests. Diabetes is diagnosed by demonstrating elevated glucose levels. Normal values for adults are listed. sodium 135 - 145 mEq/L, potassium 3.5-5.0 mEq/L, carbon dioxide 21 - 34 mEq/L, chloride 96 - 112 mEq/L, creatinine 0.6 - 1.5 mg/dL, blood urea nitrogen 6 - 23 mg/dL, albumin 3.5 - 5.0 gm/dL, total protein 5 - 9 gm/dL, alkaline phosphatase 32 - 110 U/L, alanine amino transferase 8 - 32 U/L, aspartate amino transferase 7 - 21 U/L, bilirubin 0.2 - 1.4 mg/dL, glucose 70 - 110 mg/dL, calcium 8 - 11 mg/dL.