Magnesium Lab Values – Overview
Magnesium, along with sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and chloride, is one of six essential minerals for the human body. Therefore, these minerals are required in a significant amount of your body.
Magnesium plays an active part in more than 300 enzyme reactions. As a result, it can help with muscle activity, blood pressure regulation, bone formation, energy production, and nerve transmission.
Magnesium plays an essential role in the metabolism of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. It can also maintain the balance of your blood sugar level.
Average Magnesium Level in Blood
The magnesium level in the blood is generally expressed in mg/dl. For adults, the normal magnesium level in the blood is 1.6 to 2.6 mg/dl. For children, normal magnesium in the blood is 1.7 to 2.2 mg/dl.
Sometimes mEq/L can be used to express the same. In that case, the normal range in adults is 1.3 to 2.1 mEq/L and for children, it is 1.4 to 1.8 mEq/L.
In the SI unit or International System of Units, the magnesium level in the blood is measured in mmol/L.
So the normal ranges are, for adults 0.65 to 1.05 mmol/L, and for children 0.72.2 to 0.9 mmol/L.
Why Does This Normal Level Differ?
Every laboratory can consider its own normal range for the amount of magnesium in the blood. These ranges can differ based on the local population, the accuracy of the measurement, and the technology used for measurements.
Factors like gender, age, ethnic origin, diet, geographic region, and other relevant status are responsible for these differences.
A doctor must consider your medical records, physical condition, screenings, and other relevant information about your health while studying the results.
What Does Magnesium Do?
- Magnesium is an essential electrolyte for intermediary metabolism and neuromuscular function.
- Magnesium can establish a strong relationship with the human immune system.
- It can activate different enzymes in your body and take part in different metabolic processes.
- The biological activity of adenosine triphosphate or ATP cannot be complete without magnesium. It is also important to maintain the electrical potential of cell membranes and nervous tissues.
- About 20% of the total magnesium is stored in the muscles. The bones contain another 60% of it. Organs like the heart, teeth, arteries, and nerves also contain a certain amount of magnesium.
- Blood also contains less than 1% magnesium. It can be bound to amino or proteins or found free. Calcium and magnesium are necessary for cardiac activity and adequate neuromuscular activity.
- Even with a 20% decrease, the magnesium level in your body can remain stable.
- Magnesium can enter your body through diet. It releases from your body through stools and urine.
Uses of Magnesium Blood Test
Magnesium Lab Values – Uses of magnesium blood test
The magnesium blood test report can help you to understand:
- If you are unable to absorb enough magnesium from your diet
- If your kidneys are working properly
- If your cardiac activity and muscle are correct
One can perform magnesium blood tests, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, and a parathyroid hormone test. A person with a lower level of magnesium may also have potassium and calcium deficiency.
What Does It Mean if Your Magnesium Level is Too High?
If the magnesium level is too high in your blood, this condition can be called hypermagnesemia.
Possible causes of hypermagnesemia or higher magnesium levels in your blood-
- Adrenal disorders like Addison’s disease
- Consumption of magnesium-containing antacids
- Kidney failure
- Overuse of magnesium-containing supplements or medications
- Dehydration
- Electrolyte imbalance caused by chemotherapy
- Hypothyroidism
- Hyperthyroidism
What Does It Mean if Your Magnesium Level is Low?
If the magnesium level is too low in your blood, this condition can be called hypomagnesemia.
Possible causes hypomagnesemia or lower magnesium level in your blood-
- Inability to absorb magnesium from different food items
- Renal losses
- Gastrointestinal losses
- Insulin resistance or Diabetes
- Alcohol abuse
- Excessive urination
- Excessive sweating
- Chronic stress
- Stress due to any physical injury or surgery
- Including the excessive amount of saturated fats or highly refined sugars in your diet
- Different GI disorders like Celiac, Crohn’s, and inflammatory bowel diseases
- High calcium level in your body
- Low consumption of magnesium
- High intake of sodas, tea, or coffee
- Prolonged diarrhea
- Weight gain
- The use of certain medications
You may develop another condition called arrhythmias from magnesium deficiency in your blood.
Conclusion
Magnesium is one of the six necessary minerals that your body requires. It has multiple functions in your body. Magnesium lab tests can help you understand the magnesium level in your blood. Higher magnesium levels or magnesium deficiency may have numerous consequences and cause severe damage.
See Also
Respiratory Acidosis Lab Values
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