What is Magnesium Blood Test
A magnesium blood test is used to evaluate how much magnesium is in the blood. The electrolyte group includes magnesium. Minerals known as electrolytes have an electrical charge and perform a key role in many vital bodily processes and operations.
- Magnesium is crucial for the correct functioning of muscles, nerves, and the heart within the body.
- Additionally, it is involved in the regulation of blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
- The majority of magnesium in the body is stored in the bones and cells, with a minor portion present in the bloodstream.
- Unusually low or high levels of magnesium in the blood may signal important health conditions.
- Alternative terms for magnesium are Mag, Mg, and Magnesium-Serum.
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Get A Second OpinionWhat is a magnesium blood test used for?
A magnesium blood test determines the amount of magnesium in the blood. Hypomagnesemia, or magnesium deficiency, refers to low magnesium levels. This is more common than excessively high levels, which are referred to as hypermagnesemia. A magnesium blood test is sometimes combined with electrolyte testing for calcium, sodium, chloride, and potassium.
What is the need for a magnesium blood test?
If you have symptoms of low or high magnesium levels, the doctor may recommend a magnesium blood test. Low magnesium symptoms include:
Symptoms of high magnesium include:
If women are pregnant, individuals may also require this test. Preeclampsia, a hazardous kind of high blood pressure that affects pregnant women, can be caused by a magnesium deficit.
Moreover, the doctor may prescribe this test if you have a medical condition that can lead to magnesium insufficiency. Malnutrition, alcoholism, and diabetes are examples.
- Muscle cramps and twitching
- Weakness
- Seizures
- Confusion
- Irregular heartbeat
If women are pregnant, individuals may also require this test. Preeclampsia, a hazardous kind of high blood pressure that affects pregnant women, can be caused by a magnesium deficit. Moreover, the doctor may prescribe this test if you have a medical condition that can lead to magnesium insufficiency. Malnutrition, alcoholism, and diabetes are examples.
What happens during a magnesium blood test?
A health practitioner may use a tiny needle to take blood from a vein in the arm. After the insertion of the needle, a small amount of blood will be collected in a test tube or vial. When the needle goes in or out, individuals may experience a slight sting. This normally takes under five minutes.
How to prepare for the test?
Certain medications can have an impact on magnesium levels. Inform the doctor about any prescription and over-the-counter medications individuals are using. If patients need to stop taking them for a few days before the test, the doctor will let you know. One should also cease taking magnesium supplements before the exam.
Are there any risks to the test?
A blood test poses relatively little danger. Some may experience mild pain or bruises where the needle was put, but most of the symptoms will go away quickly.
What do the results mean?
If the results suggest that individuals are magnesium deficient, this could be an indication of:
- Malnutrition
- Chronic diarrhoea
- Diabetes
- Alcoholism
- Preeclampsia (if you are pregnant)
- Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
If your results suggest that you have more magnesium than usual, this could be an indication of:
- Kidney disease
- Diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening complication of diabetes
- An adrenal gland condition called Addison's disease
- Dehydration is the result of excessive body fluid loss.
- overuse of magnesium-containing antacids or laxatives
If the results show that you are magnesium deficient, the doctor will most likely advise you to take magnesium supplements to increase the levels of the mineral. If the results suggest that you have an excess of magnesium, the doctor may recommend IV treatments (medication supplied straight to the veins) to eliminate it.
If you have any concerns about your results, talk to the doctor.
Is there anything more I should know about magnesium blood tests?
In addition to a magnesium blood test, the doctor may prescribe magnesium in a urine test.
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Book an AppointmentFrequently Asked Questions
A serum magnesium test is used to determine the level of magnesium in the blood.
A low magnesium level can indicate diabetes, intestinal issues, malnutrition, or long-term (chronic) drinking. Preeclampsia may be caused by low magnesium levels during pregnancy.
Low magnesium is often caused by decreased magnesium absorption in the gut or increased magnesium excretion in the urine. Low magnesium levels are uncommon in normally healthy adults.
One can test the magnesium levels at home with a simple finger prick test kit, which is then analysed at a certified facility. However,Medicover Hospitals offers various blood tests involving magnesium, including the Nutri-Check test and the Menopause Health blood test.
The magnesium blood test, commonly known as the RBC blood test, measures the amount of magnesium in red blood cells floating in blood serum. The test is normally ordered only when there is reason to suspect that a person may be magnesium deficient.
A magnesium blood test determines how much magnesium is in the blood. Magnesium is classified as an electrolyte. Numerous essential bodily processes and functions depend on electrolytes, which are electrically charged substances. Magnesium is needed by the body to help the muscles, neurons, and heart function properly.
The normal blood magnesium level range is 1.7 to 2.2 mg/dL (0.85 to 1.10 mmol/L).
If the magnesium levels are greater than normal, this could be a symptom of Addison's disease, a disorder of the adrenal glands. Dehydration is the loss of excess body fluids.
There are numerous possible causes of abnormal magnesium levels. Increased magnesium levels, for example, may be found with kidney disease because magnesium is eliminated by the kidneys. A low magnesium level can indicate diabetes, intestinal issues, malnutrition, or long-term (chronic) drinking.
A magnesium blood test costs approximately Rs. 250/-.
