The SMA7 blood test is a basic metabolic panel. It might also be called a Chemestry Panel, BMP, Chemistry Screen or a Chem7. These are all the same tests. It is typically administered to provide your doctor with current information about the status of your blood glucose levels, acid-base balance, and kidney functioning.
The SMA7 blood test is very common. It is administered as part of a regular annual physical exam, when someone may be hospitalized, or when an emergency room visit has been initiated. The blood is drawn from a vein in the arm, but up to 12 hours of fasting may be requested before the blood sample for the SMA7 test is taken.
How Is the SMA7 Different From the CMP12?
This basic metabolic panel has fewer tests that are actually administered. The SMA7 has 8 different panels that are run. In comparison, the comprehensive panel has 14 different tests that are looked at, including all 8 from the SMA7. The CMP12 is often ordered when a complete picture of health is required because there may be physical complaints that have brought someone to the doctor.
The SMA7, on the other hand, is considered to be routine.
My Results Were Slightly Out of Range… Now What?
If the SMA7 is just slightly out of the normal range, the your doctor will look at the tests in context with your overall health, including a review of your medical file. One single result that is slightly abnormal may not have any medical significance at all. There are several reasons for the results to be a little off, but two reasons are more common than the rest.
Biological variability. Just as your blood pressure can change several points over several minutes, the results of your SMA7 blood test may change over the course of several days. An average of all results is generally used as a baseline for health instead of one specific result. If you have one result that is slightly high and one that is slightly low, but several that are right in the normal range, then it will generally be looked at as a natural variance only.
Individual variability. People are created in many different ways. Although something may be normal for the majority of the general population, your results may be slightly different. You may be completely healthy, yet have a slightly “abnormal” result consistently because of your individual uniqueness.
With that being said, an abnormal result may also be something that is medically significant. This is something that only your doctor can indicate.
What Does the SMA7 Measure?
The two main points of focus on the SMA7 are generally glucose and calcium levels. Abnormal readings in these areas may indicate the presence of serious diseases, including diabetes and leukemia. Electrolyte levels, including chloride, sodium, potassium, and carbon dioxide are also examined. Kidney tests that measure creatine and blood urea nitrogen will examine the filtering process of the organs.
All of the results are then put together to determine what an individual’s overview of health happens to be. Because certain medications can affect these results, however, all medications – including over the counter items and supplements – should be communicated to your doctor before the test is administered. You may be asked to stop taking certain medications or supplements to receive more accurate results for the test.
What If One Part of the SMA7 Blood Test Is Abnormal?
Because the SMA7 blood test is more of an overview of an individual’s health, abnormal results generally lead to more specific blood tests. This first basic blood panel will give a summary of health, letting a doctor interpret the results to determine if there are any areas of concern that may require some follow-up.
Although these blood tests can find something that is serious and medically significant, most results that are abnormal are of very treatable conditions. You may find that there is asthma present instead of COPD. Instead of bone marrow issues, you may discover that you are more susceptible to gout. If you have any questions about your condition, then be sure to discuss any specific concerns that you may have in-person.
Any blood test that comes back without normal results can be scary. The good news is that most results will be normal with the SMA7 blood test and those that are just slightly off are generally considered to be normal as well. In those circumstances where something may be higher or lower than your doctor may like, use this information to ask specific questions at your next appointment so you can get anything that is medically significant treated effectively as soon as possible.