Basic Metabolic Panels

To demonstrate the continuing integration of TCM with Western medicine, I have written about certain medical tests that more TCM practitioners are becoming proficient in utilizing. I have written about blood tests, like CBCs, focusing on the integrity of red and white blood cells. I discussed how becoming proficient in analyzing the result of such tests allows the TCM practitioner to develop a much more productive relationship with his primary care physician.

Today, I want to discuss the importance of basic metabolic panels. A metabolic panel gives the clinician an indication of the “status” of certain minerals or electrolytes in the body. The most common ones are: Sodium, Potassium and Chloride. There are lab range values that give an indication of if your values are within the normal range. To utilize this test, blood is drawn from a vein in the arm.

There are two main types of metabolic panels: Basic metabolic panel (BMP) and Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP). A BMP gives the values of the common electrolytes and minerals such as sodium and potassium. A normal range is usually provided with the test. A BMP also gives you an indication of kidney function by giving you values for BUN and Creatinine.

A CMP not only gives you a complete metabolic panel, like the BMP, but, also, indication of liver function by providing values for AST, ALT, and Bilirubin. It also gives you the value of Albumin, an indicator of the protein.

As I started, the values you get from the BMP and CMP are for the free electrolytes or minerals in the blood. When you order a BMP or CMP, you will get the normal range of values so you can compare and see where your values are. In future blog, I will discuss how these tests can be used clinically by a TCM practitioner.

For now, it is enough to appreciate that a TCM practitioner being comfortable with metabolic panels allows him to integrate into the Western medical system more effectively.