Magnesium TEST

 
What are the other names for this test?
 
Magnesium blood test, Mg test, Magnesium-Serum, Mag
 
What is a magnesium test?

A magnesium blood test helps to determine magnesium levels in your blood. Magnesium is an essential type of electrolyte. Electrolytes are electrically charged minerals and work for many functions in your body.
Magnesium helps muscles, the heart, and the nerves to work correctly. It also regulates blood pressure and blood sugar.
Most of the magnesium is present in your bones and cells. Some magnesium is also in your blood.
Low magnesium amounts are present in green vegetables, such as spinach, nuts, and whole grains. Your body helps balance magnesium levels by releasing or storing magnesium in your kidneys. High or low magnesium levels may indicate health problems.

What is the purpose of this test?

A magnesium blood test helps to see abnormal magnesium levels in your blood. This test is a routine test often included in an electrolyte panel. A magnesium test may use to:
 

• Diagnose gastrointestinal disorders.
• Check and evaluate the severity of kidney problems.
• Observe for uncontrolled diabetes
• Monitor the magnesium levels if you are already taking treatment for low or high magnesium amounts.

Low magnesium levels may lead to low calcium and potassium levels. The magnesium test helps to identify problems with calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and parathyroid hormone (a component of calcium regulation).
Magnesium levels may often use to see the reaction to oral or intravenous (IV) magnesium supplements. Your healthcare provider may ask for a magnesium test with calcium and phosphorus test to see calcium supplementation.

Low magnesium levels are also known as hypomagnesemia which often occurs due to malabsorption. The kidneys lose magnesium in high amounts through urine.
High magnesium amounts in your blood are known as hypermagnesemia develops when you take an antacid having magnesium, and your kidney loses the ability to release it. Hypermagnesemia happens rarely compared to hypomagnesemia because your kidneys help to eliminate excess magnesium from your blood when required.

When do I need to take this test?

If you experience low to intermediate magnesium deficiency may have no severe symptoms. You may need a magnesium test if you see persistent symptoms of low magnesium levels in your blood.

Symptoms of low magnesium levels are:
 

• Muscles cramps
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Loss of appetite
• Numbness or tingling
• Disturbance in the rhythm of the heartbeat.
• Seizures

Symptoms of high magnesium levels are:
 

• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle Weakness
• Irregular heartbeat
• Difficulty in breath
• Vomiting

You may also need to order this test if you are pregnant. The magnesium deficiency may lead to preeclampsia, a type of high blood pressure) and may affect pregnant women.

Your provider also suggests this test if you have ongoing health problems that lead to magnesium deficiency, such as diabetes, alcohol use, and malnutrition.

If you want to see the magnesium levels in your blood, visit here to take this test.
 
What is the procedure for this test?

A magnesium test is a blood test that requires a blood sample. The following are the steps for this test after visiting the laboratory.
 

• Sit in front of your provider. Be relaxed and stay in a fixed position. It is difficult for your provider to collect a blood sample if you do the muscle movement.
• Remove the portion of your cloth from the arm.
• A small needle will inject into a vein in your arm.
•  A small amount of blood will collect in a test tube.
• Blood samples will store in the laboratory for examination of an allergy.
• You can go home for regular activities.
• This test usually takes five minutes.

How do I need to prepare for this test?

You can inform your provider about medicines, vitamins, and supplements you use. Your provider will guide you on when to stop medication for a few days before the test. You may also need to avoid magnesium supplements before the test.

Are there any risks involved in this test?

A magnesium test has low risks when you give a blood sample. Vein differs from person to person. Some people or children may have difficulty providing a blood sample compared to others. You may experience low risks when the needle injects into your vein. These risks include
 

• Bruising
• Extreme Bleeding
• Slight pain
• Infection
• Hematoma (Deposition of blood under the skin)

What do the test results indicate?

The magnesium test results depend on many factors, such as age, gender, and medical history. The test results may also slightly differ among laboratories. It is because each lab may use different methods for examination.
The reference range for magnesium in adults is about 1.8 to 2.6 mg/dL (milligram per deciliter).
The recommended range for magnesium in children and newborns is 1.7 to 2.1 mg/dL and 1.5 to 2.2 mg/dL, respectively.

Low magnesium levels may happen due to the following reasons:
 

• Malnutrition
• Chronic diarrhea
• Diabetes
• Digestive problems that include Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
• Excess use of alcohol
• Preeclampsia (if you are a pregnant woman)

You can talk with your doctor about your magnesium test result here.

 High magnesium levels may occur due to the following reasons:
 

• Kidney disease
• Dehydration - losing high water amounts from the body
• Excess use of antacids or laxatives having magnesium
• Addison disease (Adrenal glands problems)
• Tissue trauma
• Diabetes acidosis (if first seen)
• End-stage renal disease (ESRD)
• Hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland)

After placing an online order for a magnesium test, your provider will ask you to take magnesium supplements if you experience magnesium deficiency.
If you have high magnesium levels, you may suggest IV therapies. It is a process in which medicine delivers directly to your veins to reduce excess magnesium.

What factors may affect the test results?

If you have abnormal magnesium test results, you do not always experience a health problem that requires treatment. Specific medicines that may increase magnesium levels, such as antacids, lithium, aspirin, and laxatives. A few medications that decrease magnesium levels include antibiotics, insulin, and water pills (diuretics).

What additional tests do I need along with this test?

Your healthcare provider may ask for other tests to measure other minerals, such as calcium and phosphorus. You may also need a test to see magnesium levels in urine.