Magnesium
Understanding Magnesium
What is Magnesium?
A magnesium blood test is performed to measure magnesium levels in the blood and to monitor treatment efficacy of magnesium supplements. Magnesium is a mineral that plays an essential role in metabolism, nerve functioning, and maintenance of healthy bones. Its deficiency can cause symptoms such as muscle weakness, irregular heartbeats, and muscle twitch.
A level lower than the normal amount is called magnesium deficiency, it may be a sign of malnutrition and diabetes. If your results show a higher than normal amount of magnesium, it may be a sign of dehydration and kidney disease.
What is Magnesium used for?
The Magnesium Test is performed:
· As a part of regular health checkups to measure magnesium levels in the blood
· Upon the appearance of symptoms indicating magnesium deficiency like muscular weakness, muscle twitch or cramps, irregular heartbeats or cardiac arrhythmia, seizures, etc.
· To monitor treatment efficacy of magnesium supplements at regular intervals
· As a part of checkups for evaluating kidney diseases, malnutrition, diarrhea, and alcoholism
What does Magnesium measure?
Magnesium is a mineral micronutrient which plays essential roles in body processes including enzyme functions, energy production by metabolism, contraction of muscles, and nerve functioning. It also helps in the metabolism of calcium and hence helps in the maintenance of healthy bones. Magnesium is supplied to the body from dietary sources and is absorbed in the small intestine and colon. It is subsequently absorbed into the bones and tissues. Only about 1% of the total amount of magnesium absorbed remains in the blood within a narrow normal range. The normal range of magnesium concentration is maintained in the body by utilizing the amount absorbed from food and excreting the excess through urination.
Deviation from the normal range of magnesium concentration causes Hypomagnesia (shortage of magnesium), or Hypermagnesia (excess of magnesium). Both these conditions impact normal body processes in the short term and may give rise to other conditions in the long term.
Interpreting Magnesium results
Interpretations
Normal range: 0.85 to 1.10 mmol/L (1.7 to 2.2 mg/dL approx.)
Hypomagnesia: Below 0.85 mmol/L (Less than 1.7 mg/dL approx.)
Hypermagnesia: Above 1.10 mmol/L (Above 2.2 mg/dL approx.)
Magnesium concentration in the body is maintained within a narrow normal range between 0.85 mmol/L and 1.10 mmol/L.
Hypomagnesia or low blood magnesium is indicated if magnesium concentration lies below the normal range.
Hypermagnesia or high blood magnesium is indicated if magnesium concentration lies above the normal range.
Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Magnesium
Frequently Asked Questions about Magnesium
Q. What is Hypomagnesia?
Q. What are the symptoms of Hypomagnesia?
Q. What is Hypermagnesia?
Q. What are the symptoms of Hypermagnesia?
Q. Is there any preparation required before the Magnesium test?
Q. Is there any risk associated with this test?
Q. When can false results appear in the Magnesium Test?
Q. Which food items are good source of magnesium?
Q. What other tests can be prescribed by your doctor in case of abnormal Magnesium test result?
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