Magnesium
Category:
Magnesium, Serum
Description
Alternative Names : Mg+2
About half of the body's magnesium is found in the bones. The other half is found inside cells.
Magnesium is necessary for nearly all biochemical processes in the body. It helps maintain muscle and nerve function, keeps the bones strong, controls the heart beat, and helps regulate blood pressure. Magnesium also controls blood sugar levels and helps support the body's immune system.
Its concentration is measured by means of analysis of a blood sample drawn from the vein in the arm.
Purpose of the test
A serum magnesium test is done to see how much magnesium is there in the blood.
It is prescribed, in order to help detect a wide range of abnormal body circunstancies.
Abnormal levels of magnesium are most frequently seen in conditions or diseases that cause abnormal excretion of magnesium by the kidneys or that cause impaired absorption in the intestines.
Magnesium levels may be checked as part of an evaluation of the severity of kidney problems or of uncontrolled diabetes and may help in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal disorders.
Since a low magnesium level can, cause persistently low calcium and potassium levels, it may be checked to help diagnose problems with calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and parathyroid hormone.
Magnesium levels may be checked frequently to monitor the response to oral or intravenous magnesium supplements and may be used, along with calcium and phosphorus testing, to monitor calcium supplementation.
Magnesium testing may be ordered to check chronically low levels of calcium and potassium. It also may be ordered if you have symptoms of an abnormally low magnesium level such as muscle weakness, twitching, cramping, confusion, cardiac arrhythmias.
Reference range values
18 to 30 mg/L
Abnormal findings
High magnesium levels are seen in persons who have:
- Addison's disease
- Chronic renal failure
- Dehydration
- Diabetic acidosis
- Oliguria
Low magnesium levels are seen in persons who have:
- Alcoholism
- Chronic diarrhea
- Delirium tremens
- Hemodialysis
- Hepatic cirrhosis
- Hyperaldosteronism
- Hypoparathyroidism
- Pancreatitis
- Too much insulin
- Toxemia of pregnancy
- Ulcerative colitis