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.our doctor also may order this panel as part of a regular health examination or to help diagnose a medical condition. This panel measures the blood levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), calcium, carbon dioxide, chloride, creatinine, glucose, potassium, and sodium. 1  Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN). 2  Calcium.