Lab Test Abbreviations: A Plain-Language Glossary
Order Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) Online TestingQuick Answer
Lab reports are full of acronyms. This glossary decodes the most common lab test abbreviations so you can read your results with more confidence.
Key Takeaways
- CMP stands for comprehensive metabolic panel, a group of 14 common blood tests.
- BMP stands for basic metabolic panel, a smaller 8-test version of the CMP.
- CBC stands for complete blood count, which measures red cells, white cells, and platelets.
- TSH stands for thyroid-stimulating hormone, the first-line thyroid test.
- A1C stands for hemoglobin A1c, a marker of average blood sugar over about three months.
- ALT and AST are liver enzymes measured in a liver function panel.
Why Lab Reports Use Abbreviations
Laboratories use short codes because test names are long and a report can list dozens of results. Knowing the common abbreviations turns a wall of letters into a readable summary. This guide is educational information, not medical advice, and your own lab report is the final word on what was measured.
Most abbreviations are built from the first letters of the full test name. A panel is a group of tests ordered together, while a single test measures one thing. The tables below cover the abbreviations you are most likely to see on a standard report.
When two panels sound alike, the full name is the reliable way to tell them apart. CMP and BMP differ by a few tests, and the extra liver markers in a CMP are often the reason it is chosen.
Common Panel Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Full name | What it checks |
|---|---|---|
| CMP | Comprehensive metabolic panel | 14 tests covering blood sugar, electrolytes, kidney function, and liver function |
| BMP | Basic metabolic panel | 8 tests covering blood sugar, electrolytes, and kidney function |
| CBC | Complete blood count | Red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin, and platelets |
| LFT | Liver function tests | Enzymes and proteins that reflect liver health |
| UA | Urinalysis | Physical, chemical, and microscopic checks of urine |
| LP | Lipid panel | Cholesterol and triglyceride levels |
| TSH | Thyroid-stimulating hormone | The main screening test for thyroid function |
| STD or STI | Sexually transmitted disease or infection | Screening for infections passed through sexual contact |
Panels are ordered together because their results are more useful as a group. A CMP, for example, pairs electrolytes with kidney markers and liver enzymes so a clinician can see how the systems relate. Reading one value without the others can be misleading, which is why the panel name matters as much as any single abbreviation.
Common Single-Test Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Full name | What it checks |
|---|---|---|
| ALT | Alanine aminotransferase | A liver enzyme |
| AST | Aspartate aminotransferase | A liver and muscle enzyme |
| BUN | Blood urea nitrogen | Kidney function |
| eGFR | Estimated glomerular filtration rate | How well the kidneys filter |
| HbA1c or A1C | Hemoglobin A1c | Average blood sugar over about three months |
| Hgb | Hemoglobin | Oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells |
| Hct | Hematocrit | The share of blood made up of red cells |
| WBC | White blood cell count | Immune cells that rise with infection |
| RBC | Red blood cell count | Cells that carry oxygen |
| PLT | Platelet count | Cells that help blood clot |
| LDL | Low-density lipoprotein | Often called bad cholesterol |
| HDL | High-density lipoprotein | Often called good cholesterol |
| PSA | Prostate-specific antigen | A prostate marker |
| CRP | C-reactive protein | A marker of inflammation |
| TSH | Thyroid-stimulating hormone | Thyroid function |
| T4 | Thyroxine | A thyroid hormone |
Units You Will See
Results come with units, and the units matter as much as the number. Common ones include mg/dL for glucose, cholesterol, and many minerals; ng/mL for some hormones and vitamins; mIU/L for TSH; and g/dL for hemoglobin. A value that looks high in one unit can look low in another, so always read the number with its unit and reference range.
Some reports use a letter next to a result, such as H for high or L for low, to flag values outside the reference range. Others simply bold the out-of-range values. The letter or bold is a prompt to look closer, not a diagnosis.
Reference ranges differ between laboratories because methods and equipment differ. That means a result that is normal on one lab's scale can look slightly high on another. Always use the range printed beside your own result rather than a range from a different report.
How to Order Tests by Name or Code
Direct-access lab testing lets you order a panel or single test online without a doctor's order. You can search by the full name, such as comprehensive metabolic panel, or by the abbreviation, such as CMP. After you order, you visit a local collection site and the results go to a secure online account.
If you are unsure which panel fits your needs, the full name in the tables above is the safest way to search. Bring a photo ID to the collection site, and follow any preparation instructions that come with your order.
How Much Does It Cost?
Cash prices for direct-access testing commonly range from about $20 to $50 for a single test and about $40 to $120 for a standard panel such as a CMP, BMP, or CBC. Larger health panels that bundle several tests cost more. Insurance may cover testing when a clinician orders it for a medical reason.
Some results take longer than others. Most routine chemistry and blood count panels return within one to two business days, while specialized tests can take a week or more. If a result is delayed, the lab may be running a confirmatory or follow-up method.
Reading Your Results
Each result on a lab report sits next to a reference range. A value inside the range is usually considered typical, and a value outside it may need follow-up. A single out-of-range result does not by itself mean something is wrong, and many results only make sense when read together, such as the tests that make up a metabolic panel.
Share your report with a clinician who knows your history before drawing conclusions. This guide does not provide diagnosis or treatment advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does CMP mean in a blood test?
CMP stands for comprehensive metabolic panel. It groups 14 common tests covering blood sugar, electrolytes, kidney function, and liver function.
What is the difference between a CMP and a BMP?
A CMP includes about 14 tests and adds liver proteins and enzymes, while a BMP includes about 8 tests focused on blood sugar, electrolytes, and kidney function.
What does CBC stand for?
CBC stands for complete blood count. It measures red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets.
What does A1C measure?
A1C, or hemoglobin A1c, reflects average blood sugar over the previous two to three months. It is used to screen for and monitor diabetes.
What do ALT and AST mean?
ALT and AST are liver enzymes. Higher levels can suggest liver irritation, but results are interpreted alongside the rest of the liver panel and your history.
Can I order a test using its abbreviation?
Yes. Direct-access testing usually lets you search by either the full test name or the common abbreviation, such as CMP or CBC.
Where to Get This Test
Related Guides
Sources
- National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus): Laboratory Tests
- National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus): Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
- National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus): Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)
- National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus): Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus): Liver Function Tests
This guide is reviewed for sourcing accuracy against the references listed above. It is educational information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about your own results and care.
Ready to get tested? Order online through our partner and visit a local lab near you. No doctor's order or insurance required.
Order Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) Online TestingReviewed by the LabAppointments Editorial Team
Our team researches and fact-checks all content to ensure accuracy. We update guides regularly to reflect current testing options, pricing, and laboratory accreditation standards.