The Magnesium (Mg) test is a blood test and requires a few millilitres of blood from a vein.
Low Magnesium (Mg) in the bloodstream is known as hypomagnesaemia. This is a rare condition, but may be more common in malnourished people, especially alcoholics, and people taking diuretics (“water tablets”), or in some rare kidney conditions. Lack of magnesium can have effects on the nervous system, muscles, and the cardiovascular system. Symptoms are quite non-specific, but may include weakness, muscle cramps, or palpitations (awareness of a rapid heartbeat).
The level of Magnesium in the blood is only a small proportion of the body stores of magnesium. When body stores are low, healthy kidneys will conserve Magnesium, before the blood level drops, and measurement of the 24-hour urine magnesium level may be helpful. If the blood level is low, the total body magnesium is probably low, but blood level measurements are affected by the quantity of proteins in the blood, and how strongly magnesium is bound to these proteins.
HealthEngine is dedicated to helping patients and health practitioners connect. We believe that when we do this well, everyone benefits.
HealthEngine is:
