Blood Chemistry Tests (General Health Panel Blood)

Blood chemistry tests provide a snapshot of how your organs, electrolytes, and metabolism are working today. They’re the backbone of routine checkups and wellness panels, helping you and your clinician evaluate kidney and liver function, fluid and mineral balance, blood sugar, and proteins.

Use this page to build a smart, right-sized panel for your goals. Most people start with a basic or comprehensive metabolic panel and add targeted markers (e.g., magnesium, phosphorus, uric acid) based on health history or program needs. Chemistry tests support screeningdiagnosis when appropriate, and monitoring—but they don’t replace a medical exam or imaging if you have concerning symptoms.

Signs, Situations & Related Needs

  • Annual wellness: baseline organ function and electrolytes

  • New symptoms: fatigue, swelling, muscle cramps, dark urine, nausea, jaundice, confusion

  • Medication check-ins: drugs that affect kidneys, liver, or electrolytes (e.g., diuretics)

  • Training & heat exposure: hydration/electrolyte status for active individuals

  • Chronic conditions: diabetes, hypertension, kidney or liver disease follow-up
    Seek urgent care for chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting, confusion, or stroke-like symptoms.

Why These Tests Matter

What testing can do

  • Reveal electrolyte and acid–base problems (sodium, potassium, CO2/anion gap)

  • Assess kidney (BUN/creatinine/eGFR) and liver (AST/ALT/ALP/bilirubin) function

  • Check glucose and metabolic status; track trends over time

  • Provide objective baselines before changing medications, diet, or training

What testing cannot do

  • Diagnose every cause of symptoms without a clinician’s review

  • Predict events (e.g., heart attack) with certainty

  • Replace age-appropriate screenings or imaging when indicated

What These Tests Measure (at a glance)

  • Electrolytes: Sodium, potassium, chloride, CO2 (bicarbonate) help evaluate hydration, nerve/muscle function, and acid–base balance.

  • Anion Gap (calculated): flags unmeasured acids (e.g., in dehydration or metabolic acidosis).

  • Kidney Function: BUN, creatinine, eGFR show filtration; BUN/creatinine ratio adds context.

  • Liver Panel: AST, ALT, ALP, total bilirubin, albumin, total protein assess injury, cholestasis, and synthetic function.

  • Glucose (± fasting): current blood sugar; often paired with A1c in broader health panels.

  • Calcium & Total Protein/Albumin: bone health and nutritional/synthetic status; corrected calcium may be used when albumin is low.

  • Add-ons as needed: Magnesium, phosphorus, uric acidGGT (biliary context).

  • Not typically in CMP/BMP but commonly ordered together: Lipid panel (cholesterol, triglycerides).

Quick Reference

Analyte group What it checks When it’s helpful Key caveat
Electrolytes (Na/K/Cl/CO2) Hydration & acid–base Heat illness, diuretic use, GI losses Dehydration/exercise can shift values
Kidney (BUN/Cr/eGFR) Filtration HTN/diabetes follow-up, med monitoring Creatinine varies with muscle mass
Liver (AST/ALT/ALP/bilirubin) Injury & bile flow Medication checks, symptoms, baseline Recent hard training can raise AST/ALT
Proteins (albumin/total) Nutrition & synthesis Chronic disease context Low albumin affects “corrected” calcium
Glucose Metabolic status Screening & monitoring Recent meals change results
Magnesium/Phosphorus Muscle/nerve, bone Cramps, refeeding, diuretics Hemolysis can alter magnesium
Uric Acid Purine balance Recurrent gout history Diet and meds influence levels

How the Testing Process Works

  1. Select your panel: start with BMP (basic) or CMP (comprehensive); add magnesium, phosphorus, uric acid, or GGT if indicated.

  2. Prepare for accuracy: follow fasting instructions if included; avoid intense exercise and heavy alcohol the day before; stay well-hydrated unless told otherwise.

  3. Get your draw: visit a nearby patient service center; most chemistry results post in a few days.

  4. Review & plan: discuss results with your clinician and set a follow-up cadence.

Interpreting Results (General Guidance)

  • Look for patterns: clustered abnormalities (e.g., elevated creatinine with high potassium) often matter more than a single outlier.

  • Trends beat single values: repeat testing clarifies whether changes are persistent or due to timing, hydration, or recent training/illness.

  • Pre-analytical factors: fasting, hydration, supplements, and strenuous exercise can shift values.
    Always interpret results with a qualified healthcare professional.

Choosing Panels vs. Individual Tests

  • Wellness baseline: CMP (or BMP if focused) ± magnesium

  • Metabolic follow-up: CMP + fasting glucose (or A1c in a separate glycemic panel)

  • Medication monitoring (e.g., diuretics): BMP/CMP + magnesium ± uric acid

  • Liver symptom check or drug effect: CMP + GGT

  • Athletes/heat exposure: CMP + magnesium/phosphorus on a rest/easy day

FAQs

Do I need to fast?
Follow the instructions on your order. Some chemistry panels include a fasting glucose.

Can I draw blood after a hard workout?
Better to schedule on a rest/easy day; strenuous exercise can raise enzymes and shift electrolytes.

Will supplements affect results?
Yes. High-dose vitamins, creatine, or herbal products can influence some values. Share all supplements with your clinician.

What if one number is “just outside” the range?
Ranges are reference intervals, not pass/fail lines. Your clinician will interpret results using trends and context.

How often should I repeat chemistry tests?
Commonly annually for wellness; more often if you’re monitoring a condition or medication.

Related Categories & Key Tests

  • General Health Panels Hub

  • Baseline Biomarkers • Cardiometabolic Health • Thyroid Testing • Kidney Health • Liver Panel • Fitness & Performance Tests

  • Key Tests: CMP • BMP • Electrolytes (Na/K/Cl/CO2) • Anion Gap • BUN/Creatinine/eGFR • AST/ALT/ALP/Bilirubin • Albumin/Total Protein • Glucose (± fasting) • Magnesium • Phosphorus • Uric Acid • GGT

  • Four of the most popular Blood Chemistry Panels available at Ulta Lab Tests include the following:

References

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force — Screening guidance for metabolic risk.
American Heart Association — Cardiometabolic risk assessment.
National Kidney Foundation — eGFR and kidney function testing.
American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases — Liver test interpretation basics.
Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute — Pre-analytical considerations for chemistry testing.

Available Tests & Panels

Your Blood Chemistry Tests menu is pre-populated in the Ulta Lab Tests system. Choose BMP or CMP as a foundation, then add magnesium, phosphorus, uric acid, or GGT as needed. Follow any fasting guidance and review results with your clinician to create a personalized follow-up plan.

For additional information on Blood Chemistry and Why Should You Be Testedclick here.

  • Page
  • 1
  • of
  • 1
  • Total Rows
  • 18
Name Matches
The Blood Chemistry - Basic Panel is an essential diagnostic tool that provides a comprehensive overview of an individual's metabolic health, including liver and kidney function, electrolyte and fluid balance, and cholesterol levels. This panel is crucial for detecting underlying health issues, monitoring existing conditions, and guiding treatment decisions.
Blood
Blood Draw, Phlebotomist

The Blood Chemistry - Basic Plus Panel is an enhanced set of blood tests designed to provide a comprehensive overview of an individual's metabolic health, liver function, blood sugar levels, iron status, lipid profile, kidney health, and more. This panel is a step above the basic blood chemistry panel, offering additional insights into your health and helping to detect potential health issues early.
Blood
Blood Draw, Phlebotomist

The Blood Chemistry - Advanced Panel is a comprehensive diagnostic tool that offers a deep dive into your metabolic functions, organ health, and nutritional status. This panel combines a variety of tests, each designed to provide crucial insights into different aspects of your body's biochemistry, aiding in the early detection of diseases, monitoring ongoing conditions, and guiding treatment decisions.
Blood
Blood Draw, Phlebotomist

The Blood Chemistry - Comprehensive Panel is a meticulously curated set of tests designed to provide a holistic view of your overall health. It integrates vital blood tests to assess the functionality of major organs, the status of metabolic processes, and the balance of essential nutrients, making it an invaluable tool for detecting a broad spectrum of health conditions.
Blood
Blood Draw, Phlebotomist

Blood
Blood Draw

Blood, Urine, Varied
Blood Draw, Phlebotomist, Urine Collection

Blood, Varied
Blood Draw, Phlebotomist

The Potassium Test measures potassium levels in blood to evaluate electrolyte balance, kidney function, and overall metabolic health. Abnormal results may indicate dehydration, kidney disease, adrenal disorders, or complications from certain medications. Doctors order this test for patients with weakness, irregular heartbeat, or high blood pressure. Results help diagnose hyperkalemia or hypokalemia and guide treatment to restore proper heart and muscle function.

Blood
Blood Draw
Also Known As: K Test

The Complete Blood Count with Differential and Platelets Test is a comprehensive blood test that checks red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets. The differential analyzes types of white blood cells to detect infections, anemia, clotting abnormalities, immune conditions, and certain cancers. This essential test is often ordered for routine health exams, diagnosis, and monitoring treatment progress.

Blood
Blood Draw
Also Known As: CBC Test, CBC with Differential and Platelets Test, CBC w/Diff and Platelets Test, Full Blood Count Test, Complete Blood Count Test

The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) Test measures 21 markers to assess metabolic health, liver and kidney function, and electrolyte balance. It includes glucose, calcium, sodium, potassium, chloride, CO2, albumin, globulin, A/G ratio, total protein, bilirubin, ALP, AST, ALT, BUN, creatinine, BUN/creatinine ratio, and eGFR. The CMP helps detect diabetes, liver or kidney disease, and supports routine screening and chronic condition monitoring.

Blood
Blood Draw
Also Known As: CMP Test, Chemistry Panel Test, Chem Test, Chem 21 Test, Chem 14 Test 

The Chemistry Panel and Complete Blood Count Test is a comprehensive blood analysis that combines two important evaluations, the Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) and the Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Differential and Platelets, to provide a broad overview of overall health.

Blood
Blood Draw

The Hepatic Function Panel Test measures liver enzymes, proteins, and bilirubin to assess liver health and function. It includes ALT, AST, ALP, albumin, total protein, and bilirubin levels. Abnormal results may indicate hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty liver, or bile duct problems. Doctors use this test to investigate jaundice, nausea, abdominal pain, or fatigue and to monitor liver disease, alcohol use, or medication side effects affecting liver function.

Blood
Blood Draw
Also Known As: Liver Function Panel Test, LFT

The Liver Function Panel, also known as a Hepatic Function Panel, measures proteins, enzymes, and bilirubin to assess liver health and function. It helps detect liver disease, monitor liver conditions, and evaluate the effects of medications or other factors on liver performance.

Blood
Blood Draw
Also Known As: Hepatic Function Panel Test, HFP Test

The Sodium Test measures sodium levels in the blood, an electrolyte essential for fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle activity. Abnormal sodium may indicate dehydration, kidney disease, adrenal disorders, or heart failure. Doctors use this test to investigate symptoms like confusion, weakness, or swelling and to monitor patients with chronic illnesses, diuretic use, or intravenous therapy, ensuring proper electrolyte and metabolic health.

Blood
Blood Draw
Also Known As: Na Test, Sodium Serum Test

Blood
Blood Draw, Phlebotomist

The Potassium Plasma Test evaluates potassium concentration in plasma, a key marker of electrolyte status, nerve signaling, and muscle contraction. Low or high levels may reflect kidney dysfunction, adrenal imbalance, dehydration, or acidosis. This test provides insight into cardiovascular function, metabolic health, and systemic conditions affecting electrolyte regulation and overall physiologic balance.

Blood
Blood Draw

The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel without CO2 and ALT evaluates glucose, calcium, electrolytes, kidney function markers, and liver-related proteins. This panel helps assess fluid and electrolyte balance, nutritional status, and metabolic activity while monitoring organ health. Excluding CO2 and ALT, it remains a useful tool for identifying imbalances and guiding clinical interpretation of systemic health.

Blood
Blood Draw

The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) without ALT evaluates overall metabolic and organ health by measuring glucose, calcium, electrolytes, kidney function markers, and key liver enzymes (excluding ALT). Doctors order this test to assess diabetes, dehydration, kidney disease, or liver dysfunction. Results provide critical insight into metabolic balance, electrolyte disorders, and organ performance, helping guide diagnosis, treatment, and long-term health monitoring.

Blood
Blood Draw
Also Known As: CMP without ALT

Knowing our blood chemistry numbers is often not considered because we can't measure it without lab tests. Many delay a visit to a doctor if they are feeling fine or wait for a doctor to order these tests, thus missing the opportunity to identify early changes in their health that can be detected early and correct.

But this doesn't have to be the case. You can order blood chemistry tests directly and even share them with your doctor before your visit so you can be proactive and in control of your health.

If you're confused about all this talk about blood chemistry, we've compiled a quick summary of what blood chemistry tests are and why they're important. Keep reading to learn more.

What is Blood Chemistry?

Your blood is responsible for many things that keep your body running smoothly and in harmony. It transports vital nutrients such as oxygen throughout your body and helps your body regulate and eliminate toxins. Blood also clots whenever your body has an injury to prevent further damage (or even a possible infection).

But despite all of these roles that blood plays in the human body, it only accounts for around 10% of a person's total body weight. Yet, the blood itself is much thicker than something like water which makes up around 60% of the human body.

This is because of all the microscopic parts that make up the blood. Your blood has more than a dozen small trace substances and agents in it, which all play a role in what makes blood not only so thick but so extremely important.

We won't get into too much detail about the specific composition of blood, but it is important to mention a few key components; red blood cells, white blood cells, blood plasma, and platelets. All of which have individual roles in one's health.

These key parts help maintain healthy levels of blood cholesterol, lipids, and blood sugar. Your body will perform most optimally when everything is at the right level. On the other hand, the human body will start to experience negative side effects if anything is out of line.

Unfortunately, we cannot identify the health of our blood by ourselves. This is what makes getting regular blood chemistry takes so incredibly important to your overall health. Not sure what blood chemistry tests are?

Let us explain.

The Importance of Blood Chemistry Blood Tests

Recall the essential components found in the blood that we discussed earlier. Alongside these, other trace substances are located in the blood, such as electrolytes, proteins, fats, and enzymes. An excess or an irregular amount of these substances is a strong indicator of a disease or disorder.

Blood chemistry tests help identify signs of this at an early stage. These types of tests are drawn by phlebotomists in authorized patient service centers and performed in labs.

Blood tests require a small sample of your blood to measure how much of each substance is in your body. The amount of blood drawn depends on what tests you perform.

Benefits of Blood Chemistry Tests

The most evident benefit of regular testing your blood chemistry is better knowledge of your overall health and changes in your health. These lab tests help indicate whether abnormal blood chemistry biomarkers are in excess or deficient. Whenever an abnormal biomarker is identified, you can work with your doctor to find potential lifestyle changes, medications, and supplements to improve your health.

You can take your blood test results to your doctor before your primary visit and proactively prepare to discuss your health at your doctor's appointment. It helps prevent the need for back-to-back visits with your doctor to review test results and increases the value of the initial visit.

Peace of mind is the last big benefit that we'll touch on. Have you ever felt symptoms, searched the internet for clues, only to increase your anxiety and fear that you have a potential illness? It's a terrible feeling.

Getting a blood chemistry test done helps eliminate these fears by rewarding you with peace of mind when your tests come back fine. In the event that there is something abnormal found in your tests, you'll be better off knowing what's wrong and how to treat it.

Here are some other quick benefits of blood chemistry blood tests:

  • Save money 
  • Get to know your biomarkers (blood markers)
  • Early detection 

Finding the Right Testing Site

Four of the most popular Blood Chemistry Panels available at Ulta Lab Tests include the following:

If you're looking for safe, reliable, and quick results, we suggest you consider us here at Ulta Lab Tests.

We offer hundreds of different lab tests and don't require you to have specific insurance. We help you out by giving options for individual blood tests or even complete wellness packages. You can also track your progress and monitor your health fully online.

How Our Testing Process Works

We make our testing process easy, safe, and quick for your benefit. All you have to do is research what test you want and purchase your test online. You'll be prompted to print out your lab requisition right after checkout.

Next, use our locator to find one of our thousands of available and approved testing sites near you. Schedule an appointment at one of them and have them collect your specimen there. In a few days, you'll have full access to your blood chemistry panel all online.

For a more detailed description of our process (as well as some testing tips), click here.

Take Control of Your Health Today

The time to take control of your health is now. With our blood chemistry lab panels, you can take an important step in checking your biomarkers to know your health and identify abnormal readings that can be signs of early diseases or conditions.