A blood profile, or panel, refers to a measurement of multiple laboratory values that give information about the functions of your body systems. Blood profiles provide information about your general state of health, help your health professional find abnormalities, and determine whether treatment for a specific problem is effective. Blood profiles are also used as screening tests for healthy (asymptomatic) people. Your health professional can use information obtained from a blood profile not only to make dietary or lifestyle recommendations but also to follow the progression of diseases.

Laboratory values commonly tested in a blood profile include the following:

• Alkaline phosphatase
• ALT (SGPT)
• AST (SGOT)
• Bicarbonate
• Bilirubin
• BUN
• Calcium
• Cardiac enzymes
• Chloride
• Cholesterol and triglycerides
• Creatinine
• Glucose
• Iron
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Sodium
• Total protein
• Uric acid