Basic Diabetes Panel – CMP, HgA1c, Urine Microalbumin

Sample Type

• Blood and urine samples
• 1 mL serum collected in SST
• 1 mL whole blood collected in EDTA tube
• 10 mL (minimum of 2 mL) random urine, no preservative

Who should get tested?

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that you should be tested for diabetes every three years if you are over 45 years old, or if you are under 45, and have more than one risk factor such as:¹

• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Being overweight
• Having prediabetes
• Family history of diabetes
• History of gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy)
• African-American, Asian-American, Latino/Hispanic-American, Native American, or Pacific Islander descent

Testing is important not only for diagnostic purposes but also for the monitoring of preexisting diabetes. The CDC recommends checking your HbA1c at least twice a year if you have been diagnosed with diabetes.²

Turnaround time

• Note: Result turnaround times are only an estimate and may be subject to change.
• Test turnaround time for the Basic Diabetes Panel is typically 3-5 business days.

Patient Preparation

• This panel requires fasting (no food or drink, only water) for 8-12 hours before your appointment.

Individual Test Information

• HbA1c – Hemoglobin A1c measures your average blood sugar over the past 2-3 months.
• Urine albumin – When albumin is detected in the urine it can indicate kidney damage, which can be caused by diabetes.
• Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) – a test that measures 14 different substances in your blood. It provides important information about your body’s chemical balance and metabolism.
  • Glucose, a type of sugar and your body’s main source of energy.
  • Calcium, one of the body’s most important minerals. Calcium is essential for proper functioning of your nerves, muscles, and heart.
  • Sodium, potassium, carbon dioxide, and chloride. These are electrolytes, electrically charged minerals that help control the amount of fluids and the balance of acids and bases in your body.
  • Albumin, a protein made in the liver.
  • Total protein, which measures the total amount of protein in the blood.
  • ALP (alkaline phosphatase), ALT (alanine transaminase), and AST (aspartate aminotransferase). These are different enzymes made by the liver.
  • Bilirubin, a waste product made by the liver.
  • BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine, waste products removed from your blood by your kidneys.

References

1. “Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Monitoring of Diabetes.” Www.heart.org, www.heart.org/en/health-topics/diabetes/symptoms-diagnosis–monitoring-of-diabetes.
2. “All About Your A1C.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 21 Aug. 2018, www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/managing-blood-sugar/a1c.html.
3. “Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP): MedlinePlus Medical Test.” MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2 Mar. 2021, medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/comprehensive-metabolic-panel-cmp/.