Topic Overview. A basic metabolic panel is a blood test that measures your sugar (glucose) level, electrolyte and fluid balance, and kidney function.Glucose is a type of sugar your body uses for energy. Electrolytes keep your body's fluids in balance.They also help keep your body working normally, including your heart rhythm, muscle contraction, and brain function.lucose is a type of sugar your body uses for energy. Electrolytes keep your body's fluids in balance. They also help keep your body working normally, including your heart rhythm, muscle contraction, and brain function.