Chem-20 is a "battery" of 20 chemical tests performed on serum (the portion of blood without cells). Electrolytes are ionized salts in blood or tissue fluids (ions are atoms or molecules that carry an electrical charge); electrolytes in the body include sodium, potassium, chlorine, and many others (see the Normal Values). The rest of the tests focus primarily on chemicals related to the body's metabolism and the breakdown of various substances. These would be tests that allow us to evaluate the function of the liver and kidney.

Alternative Names

SMA20; Sequential multi-channel analysis with computer-20; SMAC20; Metabolic panel 20