Test Overview

A chemistry screen is a blood test that measures the levels of several substances in the blood (such as electrolytes). A chemistry screen tells your doctor about your general health, helps look for certain problems, and finds out whether treatment for a specific problem is working.

Some chemistry screens look at more substances in the blood than others do. For example, a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) looks at more substances in the blood than a basic metabolic panel (BMP). The type of chemistry screen you have done depends on what information your doctor is looking for.

A chemistry screen may include tests for:

• Albumin.
• Alkaline phosphatase.
• Alanine aminotransferase (ALT).
• Aspartate aminotransferase (AST).
• Bilirubin (total and direct).
• Blood glucose.
• Blood urea nitrogen.
• Calcium (Ca).
• Carbon dioxide (bicarbonate).
• Chloride (Cl).
• Creatinine and creatinine clearance.
• Potassium (K).
• Sodium (Na).
• Total serum protein.