Does a Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP) include a platelet count?

Does a Basic Metabolic Panel Include Platelet Count?

No, a Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP) does not include a platelet count. A platelet count is part of a Complete Blood Count (CBC), not a BMP.

What the BMP Actually Includes

The BMP is a blood chemistry panel that measures standard electrolytes and metabolites, specifically 1:

• Electrolytes: Sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate
• Kidney function markers: Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine
• Glucose: Blood sugar level
• Calcium (in some variations)

What Includes Platelet Count

Platelet counts are obtained from a Complete Blood Count (CBC), which is an entirely separate laboratory test 2.

The CBC includes:

• White blood cell count (WBC) 2
• Hemoglobin and hematocrit 2
• Platelet count 2
• Red blood cell indices 2

Clinical Context: When Both Are Ordered Together

In many clinical situations, both tests are ordered simultaneously but remain distinct panels 2:

• Medication monitoring: When monitoring drugs like methotrexate, azathioprine, or cyclosporine, guidelines recommend obtaining both CBC (for platelet and neutrophil counts) AND a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP, which is an expanded version of BMP) at regular intervals 2

• Preoperative assessment: For hip fracture patients, a BMP is checked for metabolic status while hemoglobin is checked separately as part of blood count assessment 2

Common Clinical Pitfall

Do not assume metabolic panels include hematologic parameters. If you need platelet counts for bleeding risk assessment, thrombocytopenia evaluation, or medication monitoring, you must specifically order a CBC 2. The BMP will not provide this information 1.

When platelet counts are clinically critical:

• Bleeding risk assessment requires CBC with platelets 2
• Monitoring immunosuppressive therapy requires CBC with differential and platelets 2
• Evaluating thrombocytopenia requires CBC, not BMP 2