Test Overview of Metabolic Chemistry Panel

Primary screening test given to new patients and annually thereafter.

Test Indications of Metabolic Chemistry Panel

  • New patient.
  • Annual physical.
  • Preoperative.

Sample Collection for Metabolic Chemistry Panel

  1. Patient should not eat or drink anything except water for 8 to 12 hours prior to blood sample collection.
  2. Sample to lab consists of one refrigerated unopened spun barrier tube.
  3. Spin sample within 45 minutes of collection; be sure barrier forms a complete separation.

Your doctor or lab may have different instructions that supersede the above.

CPT CODES for Metabolic Chemistry Panel

CPT-CodeDescriptionComments
80053  
82465  
82977  
83615  
84100  
84478  
84550  
83718HDL 

Labs Performing Metabolic Chemistry Panel Test

Name of LabLab CodeEstimated CostProcessing TimeComments
Go to Sonora QuestSonora Quest 31033 1 day 
Go to Sonora QuestSonora Quest 35811 1 dayAlso includes Complete Blood Count. Also need 5 mL lavender top tube.
Go to Sonora QuestSonora Quest 31433 1 dayAlso includes HDL-cholesterol

Costs cited are subject to change and may be reduced by insurance or cash discounts and increased by sample collection fees.

Theory of Metabolic Chemistry Panel

Glucose

Urea Nitrogen, Blood (BUN)

Creatinine

Ratio BUN/Creatinine

Uric Acid

Sodium

Potassium

Chloride

Carbon Dioxide

Anion Gap

Value >= 14 mE/L suggests metabolic acidosis.

Osmolality (calculated)

Protein, Total

Albumin

Globulin

Ratio Albumin/Globulin

Cholesterol, Total

Triglycerides

Calcium

Phosphorus

Alkaline Phosphatase

GGT (Gamma Glutamyl Transferase)

This enzyme is induced in response to a toxic load - such as excessive alcohol consumption or certain prescription medication [Myhill2018, pg 92].

ALT

AST

LDH (Lactate Dehydrogenase)

This enzyme necessary to clear lactate produced by anaerobic metabolism. According to [Myhill2018, pg 92], elevated LDH may suggest poor mitochondrial function.

Bilirubin, Total

High normal or high levels of bilirubin suggests Gilbert's Syndrome. Even a high-normal bilirubin level points to slow detox. [Myhill2018, pg 92].

References regarding Metabolic Chemistry Panel

  • [Myhill2018] Sarah Myhill. Sustainable Medicine: Whistle-Blowing on 21st-Century Medical Practice. White River Junction, VT: Chelsea Green Publishing (2018).

    • Unless specifically noted above, references used in the construction of this web page include the following:

    [FMU] Lecture notes from Functional Medicine University.

    [SCNM] Lecture notes from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine.

    [UT] Lecture notes from the University of Tennessee graduate programs in Chemistry, Microbiology, and Biochemistry.