Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood draw from arm vein
- Fasting: 8–12 hours required
- Turn-around: 1-2 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Comprehensive screening – 14 key biomarkers in one affordable test
- Early detection – Identify diabetes, kidney disease, and liver problems before symptoms appear
- No doctor visit required – Order and receive online results
- Nationwide access – Use any LabCorp or Quest location near you
- Fast, secure results – Get results in 1–2 business days through a HIPAA-compliant portal
Who Is This Test For?
- Adults seeking annual wellness screening and health baseline assessment
- Individuals with a family history of diabetes, kidney disease, or liver problems
- People monitoring existing conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or chronic kidney disease
- Those experiencing symptoms such as fatigue, swelling, jaundice, or other unexplained issues
- Patients starting new medications that may affect liver or kidney function
- Athletes or individuals needing pre-surgical medical clearance
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online - Purchase your test and receive lab requisition instantly
- Visit lab - Fast 8-12 hours, then get blood drawn at any LabCorp/Quest location
- Get results - Access secure results in 1-2 business days.
FAQ
What does CMP-14 stand for? Comprehensive Metabolic Panel with 14 biomarkers covering glucose, electrolytes, kidney function, liver enzymes, and proteins.
How long do I need to fast? Fast for 8-12 hours before your blood draw. Water and prescribed medications are allowed unless advised otherwise.
What if my results are abnormal? Follow up with your healthcare provider for abnormal findings.
Can I eat anything while fasting? No food or caloric beverages. Plain water is encouraged, and continue routine medications unless instructed otherwise.
How accurate are the results? CLIA-validated testing with ±5-10% analytical accuracy using automated chemistry analyzers at certified labs.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The CMP-14 provides a comprehensive snapshot of your metabolic health by measuring 14 essential biomarkers in a single blood test. It evaluates glucose regulation, electrolyte balance, kidney filtration, liver integrity, and protein status to detect potential health issues early (Cleveland Clinic 2025).
This panel covers four critical areas: blood sugar control, kidney function (BUN, creatinine, eGFR), liver health (ALT, AST, ALP, bilirubin), and metabolic balance (electrolytes, proteins, calcium). Together, these measurements help identify diabetes, chronic kidney disease, liver dysfunction, and electrolyte imbalances before symptoms develop.
Who would benefit from this test?
Adults concerned about diabetes risk should consider this test, especially since 38.4 million Americans have diabetes but 22.8% remain undiagnosed (CDC 2024). The fasting glucose measurement can reveal early blood sugar problems.
Individuals at risk for kidney disease particularly benefit, as chronic kidney disease affects 35.5 million adults with 90% unaware they have it (CDC 2023). Early detection through elevated BUN, creatinine, or low eGFR enables timely intervention.
Those monitoring liver health find value in this panel, especially given that metabolic fatty liver disease now affects approximately 40% of U.S. adults (VCU Health 2024). The liver enzyme measurements can flag hepatic injury before obvious symptoms appear.
When should I order a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel?
Order this test as part of annual wellness screening, before starting medications that affect liver or kidney function, or when experiencing concerning symptoms. Healthcare providers recommend routine screening for early disease detection.
Consider testing if you have risk factors like family history of diabetes or kidney disease, obesity, high blood pressure, or metabolic syndrome. The test is also valuable for monitoring existing conditions or following up after lifestyle interventions.
Symptoms warranting testing include persistent fatigue, swelling in legs or ankles, changes in urination, abdominal pain, jaundice, or unexplained nausea. Early testing can prevent complications from undiagnosed conditions.
How do I interpret the results?
Your results will show each biomarker value alongside the laboratory's reference ranges. Values outside these ranges may indicate potential health concerns requiring follow-up with your healthcare provider.
Glucose (fasting)
- Normal Range: 70–99 mg/dL
- High Values May Indicate: Diabetes or prediabetes
BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen)
- Normal Range: 7–20 mg/dL
- High Values May Indicate: Kidney dysfunction or dehydration
Creatinine
- Normal Range: 0.6–1.2 mg/dL
- High Values May Indicate: Reduced kidney function
ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase)
- Normal Range: 7–56 U/L
- High Values May Indicate: Liver damage or inflammation
AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase)
- Normal Range: 10–40 U/L
- High Values May Indicate: Liver or heart muscle damage
An AST/ALT ratio greater than 3.6 in cirrhosis patients is associated with significantly higher mortality risk (Frontiers in Medicine 2025).
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
Fast for 8-12 hours before your blood draw, avoiding all food and caloric beverages. Plain water is encouraged to stay hydrated and make the blood draw easier.
Continue taking prescribed medications unless specifically instructed otherwise by your healthcare provider. Avoid alcohol, vigorous exercise, and excessive caffeine before testing as these can affect results.
Schedule your appointment for morning hours when possible, as fasting is easier overnight. Bring your lab requisition and photo ID to the collection site.
How often should I get tested?
Testing frequency depends on your health status, risk factors, and existing conditions. Regular monitoring helps track changes over time.
- Healthy adults (routine screening): Annually
- Diabetes management: Every 3–6 months
- Chronic kidney disease: Every 6–12 months
- Liver disease monitoring: Every 6–12 months
- Taking medications affecting organs: As recommended by provider
Why early detection matters
Early identification of metabolic disorders can prevent serious complications and improve long-term outcomes. Diabetes, kidney disease, and liver problems often develop silently over years.
Undiagnosed diabetes leads to cardiovascular disease, nerve damage, and kidney failure. Early detection allows for lifestyle interventions and medication to prevent these complications (American Diabetes Association 2025).
Chronic kidney disease progresses slowly, but early intervention can slow decline and prevent dialysis. Similarly, fatty liver disease can progress to cirrhosis without early dietary and lifestyle changes.
Related tests you may consider
Hemoglobin (Hb) A1c Blood Test - calculates the average blood glucose levels over 2-3 months, making it an ideal diagnostic tool for diabetes management.
Lipid Panel Blood Test - measures the amount of good and bad cholesterol to assess risk of cardiovascular disease such as heart disease, heart attack and stroke
Complete Blood Count (CBC) and Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP-14) Blood Test Panel - diagnose and monitor health conditions by evaluating blood cells, liver and kidney function, and detecting diabetes.
