Blood chemistry tests

Blood chemistry tests or panels are groups of tests that measure many chemical substances in the
blood that are released from body tissues or are produced during the breakdown (metabolism) of
certain substances. These tests are performed on a blood sample.

There are many different types of blood chemistry tests.

Blood chemistry tests

Blood chemistry test Substances measured
electrolyte panel sodium

potassium

chloride

bicarbonate
kidney function tests blood urea nitrogen (BUN)

creatinine
liver function tests alanine aminotransferase (ALT)

alkaline phosphatase (ALP)

aspartate transaminase (AST)

bilirubin

albumin

total protein
basic metabolic panel (BMP) glucose

calcium

electrolyte panel

kidney function
comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) glucose

calcium

electrolyte panel

kidney function

liver function

Why a blood chemistry test is done

A blood chemistry test may be done to:

evaluate a persons general health status

evaluate organ function
evaluate the bodys electrolyte balance
identify potential organ damage or injury
identify damaged tissues that secrete chemicals into the blood
 How a blood chemistry test is done

A blood chemistry test is usually done in a private laboratory or hospital laboratory. Preparation
depends on the type of test being done.

Fasting overnight may be required, especially if certain chemicals (such as glucose or lipid
levels) are being tested.
Blood is usually taken from a vein in the arm.
A tourniquet or elastic band is wrapped around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area
and make the vein swell.
The person may be asked to open and close the fist to make the veins stand out more.
The skin is cleaned and disinfected.
A needle is inserted into the vein and a small amount of blood is removed.
o The person will feel a prick or stinging sensation.
The sample is collected in a tube and labelled with the persons name and other identifying
information.
The tourniquet is removed and the needle is withdrawn.
o Mild discomfort may be felt when the needle is withdrawn.
Pressure is applied to the area where the needle was inserted until bleeding stops.
A band aid may be applied.
For some tests, the blood sample is allowed to clot and the clear yellow fluid (serum) that
forms above the clot is carefully separated and removed for analysis.
The sample is sent to a laboratory to be analyzed by special machines, examined under a
microscope or both.

Potential side effects

Potential side effects of having a blood chemistry test include:

bleeding
bruising
infection

What the results mean

Normal ranges may vary from person to person and laboratory to laboratory. Many factors can
affect blood chemistry results. Values may be abnormal for reasons other than cancer.

Increased blood chemistry values

Component An increased value may be due to A

d
ALP primary bone cancer or cancer that has spread to the bone (bone metastasis)
primary liver cancer or cancer that has spread to the liver (liver metastasis)
lung cancer
pancreatic cancer
ALT and liver disease
AST liver cancer
cancer that has spread to the liver (liver metastasis)
albumin

bilirubin liver disease or blockage (obstruction) within the liver due to tumours
blockage of the bile duct (obstruction) by a tumour
cancer in the head of the pancreas
BUN kidney disease or blockage (obstruction) of the urinary tract by a tumour
calcium parathyroid gland tumours that produce parathyroid hormone
 tumours that produce parathyroid hormone-like substances or cause bone destruction,
such as cancer that has spread to the bone (bone metastasis)
o lymphoma
o leukemia
o multiple myelomamultiple myelomaA type of cancer that starts in plasma cells
(white blood cells that produce antibodies to help the body fight infection) in the
bone marrow.
o some types of head and neck cancer
creatinine kidney disease or blockage (obstruction) of the urinary tract by a tumour
cancer can cause the body to use and breakdown more protein
glucose conditions such as diabetes
inflammation of the pancreas
liver disease
lactate many diseases, including liver disease
dehydrogen many cancers, including advanced cancers
ase (LDH) leukemia
lymphoma
phosphorus kidney disease
(phosphate) liver disease
tumour lysis syndrometumour lysis syndromeA group of side effects that include
kidney, heart and liver damage caused by treatment that rapidly kills cancer cells, which
release toxic substances into the blood when they die.
primary bone cancer or cancer that has spread to the bone (bone metastasis)
uric acid leukemia
multiple myeloma
lymphoma
excess cell destruction that may follow chemotherapy and radiation therapy (tumour lysis
syndrome)
Note: Not all factors or conditions that can increase blood chemistry components are listed above.
Only the main cancer-related ones have been included.

What happens if a change or abnormality is found

The doctor will decide if more tests, procedures, follow-up care or treatment are needed.

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Printed: December 20, 2016

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