Chem 14 for bloodwork??

Question

I had some blood drawn today, normal CBC then also a Chem 14....what's the Chem 14 for?? What does it test?

Answer 1

It  is also called a comprehensive profile.  It  is a panel of tests run in the chemistry department.  

A comp panel consists of electrolytes ( sodium, potassium, chloride, and carbon dioxide), glucose, calcium, BUN, creatinine, total bilirubin, total protein, albumin, AST, ALT,  and alkaline phosphate.  (14 tests)  

Frequently  a doctor will run these as a baseline to see how you normally run.  Also this panel covers a lot of things and screens for alot of problems.

The BUN and creatinine are used as indicators of how well your kidneys ar e doing.  Calcium and the electrolytes can create cardiac problems is they are too high or too low.  A low calcium, potassium or magnesium can be the cause of muscle cramps also.  The glucose level can determine hypoglycemia ( sugar too low) or diabetes (sugar too high).

The total protein and the albumin indicates nutrition or lack of.

AST, ALT, Alk phos and the total bilirubin are liver indicators.

Also the AST, ALT and Alk phos can indicate tissue damage.

This may be more information than you were looking for.  i hope this helps.