Magnesium Test
What is Magnesium Test
Magnesium is a type of electrolyte in your blood that helps in the proper functioning of muscles, nerves, and heart. It also helps in controlling blood pressure and sugar levels.
A magnesium test helps measure the amount of magnesium in your blood. Any abnormalities in the levels of this electrolyte may be a sign of serious health problems.
Symptoms of magnesium imbalance
A magnesium test is indicated if you experience the following symptoms
Weakness
Muscle cramps
Confusion
Irregular heartbeat
Seizures
Fatigue
Trouble breathing
Heart attack
Who should get tested?
It is recommended for individuals with the following conditions
Diabetes mellitus
High blood pressure
Pregnancy
Kidney diseases
Test preparation
Your healthcare provider will insert a small needle into a vein in your arm and collect a few mL of blood in a sterile test tube.
Please tell your healthcare provider if you are taking any medicines before undergoing the test as certain medicines can severely affect the magnesium levels in the blood.
Interpretation of test results
Normal range: 1.7 – 2.2 mg/dL (milligrams per decilitre)
Deviation from the normal ranges:
High magnesium levels in your blood than normal may be due to:
- Adrenal insufficiency (enough hormones are not produced by the adrenal glands)
- Diabetic ketoacidosis (a life-threatening problem in diabetes individuals)
- Lithium consumption
- Loss of kidney function
- Loss of body fluids
Low magnesium levels in your blood than normal may be due to:
- Hypercalcemia (high calcium in your blood)
- Chronic (long-term) diarrhea
- Kidney diseases
- Inflammation of pancreas
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Inflammation of the stomach lining
- Severe burns
- Post-surgery
- Pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy)
FAQs
What is the turnaround time (TAT) for the magnesium test?
The test results for magnesium are usually available within 1 -2 working days after the sample collection. However, it could take a little longer at times.
Are there any risks associated with magnesium test?
No, there are no potential risks associated with the magnesium test. Nonetheless, all blood test involves negligible risks such as feeling a slight sting or bruise at the site of needle insertion. It usually resolves within a few minutes to a couple of hours. Rarely, the site can become infected.
Should I be fasting to undergo a magnesium test?
No, you need not fast to undergo a magnesium test. It is a simple blood test that can be done at any time of the day. However, if you are having other blood tests done along with magnesium that requires fasting then you need to fast for at least 8 – 10 hours to ensure the accuracy of the test results.
What medications might interfere with magnesium levels in the blood?
Several drugs could interfere with magnesium levels in the blood including certain diuretics such as loop and thiazide diuretics, aminoglycoside antibiotics, and proton-pump inhibitors, etc.
What action should be taken if someone has low magnesium in their blood?
Low blood magnesium levels can be caused due to a variety of reasons, including medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and so on. This level, however, can be raised to a healthy level by the consumption of:
- Whole grains and dark-green leafy vegetables (an excellent source of magnesium)
- Dry fruits such as almonds, nuts, pistachio, walnuts, etc are loaded with magnesium
- Rock salt and sea salt
- Ragi
- Fruits such as bananas, mango, and orange, etc
Related tests
Tests At Lupin Diagnostics