To evaluate the level of magnesium in your blood and to help determine the cause of abnormal calcium and/or potassium levels
Magnesium
Magnesium
Também conhecido como
Mg
Este artigo foi revisto pela última vez em
Este artigo foi modificado pela última vez em 10 de Julho de 2017.
At a Glance
Why Get Tested?
When To Get Tested?
If you have symptoms (such as weakness, irritability, cardiac arrhythmia, nausea, and/or diarrhea) that may be due to too much or too little magnesium or if you have abnormal calcium or potassium levels
Sample Required?
A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm
Accordion Title
Common Questions
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How is it used?Abnormal levels of magnesium are most frequently seen in conditions or diseases that cause impaired or excessive excretion of magnesium by the kidneys or that cause impaired absorption in the intestines. Magnesium levels may be checked as part of an evaluation of the severity of kidney problems and/or of uncontrolled diabetes and may help in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal disorders.
Since a low magnesium level can, over time, cause persistently low calcium and potassium levels, it may be checked to help diagnose problems with calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and/or parathyroid hormone (involved with calcium regulation).
Magnesium levels may be measured frequently to monitor the response to oral or intravenous (IV) magnesium supplements and may be used, along with calcium and phosphorus testing, to monitor calcium supplementation. -
When is it ordered?Magnesium testing may be ordered as a follow-up to chronically low levels of calcium and potassium. It also may be ordered if you have symptoms of an abnormally low magnesium level such as muscle weakness, twitching, cramping, confusion, cardiac arrhythmias, and seizures.
Although dietary deficiencies of magnesium are rare, your doctor may order a magnesium level to check for a deficiency as part of an evaluation of malabsorption, malnutrition, diarrhea, or alcoholism. If you are taking certain medications that can cause the kidneys to excrete magnesium, testing may be performed as well. If magnesium and/or calcium supplementation is necessary, then the magnesium blood level most likely will be checked at intervals to monitor the effectiveness of treatment.
If you have a kidney disorder or uncontrolled diabetes, your doctor may order magnesium levels to help monitor kidney function and to make sure that you are not excreting or retaining excessive amounts of magnesium. -
What does the test result mean?Low levels of magnesium (hypomagnesemia) in your blood may mean that you are: 1) not getting enough magnesium in your diet; 2) your intestines are not absorbing enough magnesium; or 3) your kidneys are excreting too much magnesium. Deficiencies may be due to:
- Low dietary intake (seen in the elderly, malnourished, and with alcoholism)
- Gastrointestinal disorders (such as Crohn’s disease)
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Hypoparathyroidism (underactive parathyroid gland)
- Long-term diuretic use
- Prolonged diarrhea
- Post surgery
- Severe burns
- Toxemia of pregnancy
Increased levels of magnesium are rarely due to dietary sources but are usually the result of an excretion problem or excessive supplementation. Increased levels are seen in:
- Kidney failure
- Hyperparathyroidism (overactive parathyroid gland)
- Hypothyroidism
- Dehydration
- Diabetic acidosis (when first seen)
- Addison’s disease
- Use of magnesium-containing antacids or laxatives
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Is there anything else I should know?
Since magnesium is an electrolyte, it may be ordered along with other electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate (or total CO2), calcium, and phosphorus to evaluate a patient’s electrolyte balance. If magnesium is low, it is not unusual for potassium also to be low.
Magnesium blood levels may be low normally in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. -
Why is my doctor checking my calcium and phosphorus along with my magnesium level?