Diabetes is a long-lasting health condition that changes how the body converts food into energy. When you ingest food it is broken down into sugars, also known as glucose. Glucose is released into the bloodstream, the pancreas is stimulated to release a hormone known as insulin which acts as an enabler, letting the blood sugar into the body's cells for use as energy.

When you're diabetic, you need to monitor your blood sugar levels closely as part of diabetes care. One way to do that is to get basic metabolic panel testing at a lab as well. If you have a normal BMP result your diabetes care is successful, if not, you may be at risk. 

Diabetes can put you at risk for serious health issues. If not managed properly, diabetes can lead to heart disease, loss of vision, and kidney disease. This is why you must get consistent metabolic screening for adults and children at labs. 

Since we have transitioned into an online world with the onset of the CoVid pandemic, getting adequate diabetes care, and urgent diabetes care has become imperative. People are confined at home because of social distancing while also being hesitant to step out of their homes because of risk. 

This can be difficult for people with chronic illnesses, as these conditions need consistent care and have to be managed efficiently for patients to live a full and healthy life. 

Therefore, patients with diabetes should become familiar with online diabetes care, and opt for BMP labs found online at telehealth and telemedicine platforms that offer diagnostic testing such as the BMP Quest test. Samples can be collected from home and sent to the lab, with the results available within a 48-hour window. While the exact details vary from one platform to another, the operations remain the same across the board. 

What is a basic metabolic panel?

A basic metabolic panel consists of 8 tests that provide a general overview of the health of a person. The panel tests 8 components that are essential for normal body function. The test provides key information about your acid-base and electrolyte balance as well. 

More importantly, for our purposes, the test monitors the blood glucose level of the person being tested and screens them for diabetes. In most cases, it is ordered as part of an annual wellness visit, but it can be used as part of a diabetes care plan. Testing the levels of glucose can not only help screen the patient for diabetes but also help the doctor assess the effectiveness of an adopted diabetes care plan for an already diagnosed patient. 

What is the procedure for a Basic Metabolic Panel?

The BMP procedure is a standard blood test. A blood sample is taken from a vein in the arm. Furthermore, you may be instructed by the doctor to fast for at least 8 hours before the exam. This means that you cannot eat or drink anything except water before the test. There isn't any aftercare needed for the test.

Normal BMP test results

The normal BMP values include:

1. Glucose: Normal ranges for blood glucose are between 64 and 128 mg/dL. Higher levels of glucose can point towards diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, and adrenal cortical hyperactivity. Lower levels can indicate insulinoma, hypopituitarism, or adrenal cortical insufficiency.

For general reference: 

1. Calcium: normal levels are between 8.5 and 10.9 mg/dL. 

2. Electrolytes: normal ranges are: Sodium (136-144 mEq/L), Potassium (3.7-5.2 mEq/L), Carbon Dioxide (20-29 mmol/L), and Chloride (101-111 mmol/L).

3. BUN: normal ranges are between 7-20 mg/dL.

4. Creatinine: normal ranges are between 0.8 and 1.4 mg/dL.

If your BMP test kit indicates that your glucose levels are too high or too low, you need immediate diabetes urgent care. You must see a physician immediately at your nearest clinic or hospital so that your condition can be regulated.

Other measures

Apart from online diabetes care with a BMP test kit, there are some things that you can do as a patient to avoid serious complications with your disease:

1. Commit to the battle: You can actively ask your diabetes care team for instructions on how you can best manage your condition, and implement their advice. You must commit to the process fully so that you live a healthy life. 

2. Avoid smoking: If you have type 2 diabetes, do not smoke, because it can lead to serious complications like a stroke, eye disease, and heart disease.

3. Manage hypertension and cholesterol: High blood pressure can damage your vessels, and high cholesterol can cause serious damage when the patient is a diabetic as well. If all conditions escalate, it can be life-threatening for the patient.