What is Magnesium Test?

Normal levels of magnesium in adults over the age of 18 is around 1.7 to 2.3 milligrams per decilitre (mg/dL). These levels may vary slightly from one lab to another. If the levels are high, it may indicate that either you are consuming excess magnesium in your diet or there is a problem in removing magnesium from the body. A low level may indicate you are either not consuming enough magnesium or your body is not retaining magnesium.

Your doctor may order this test if you have certain symptoms that indicate changes in your magnesium levels.

Symptoms indicating low magnesium levels are: 

• Weakness
• Confusion
• Muscle pain
• Fast or slow heartbeat
• Seizures (severe cases)

Symptoms indicating high magnesium levels are: 

• Weakness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Trouble breathing
• Sudden stopping of the heart (in severe cases)

A doctor or nurse will collect a blood sample from a vein in your arm with a small needle. Once the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood is collected into a plastic test tube or vial. When the needle goes in and out, you may feel slight pain. This procedure will be quick.

Book an appointment today for a magnesium test and get a free second opinion.

Some symptoms of low magnesium include loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, cramps, muscle stiffness, weakness, excessive fatigue, muscle spasms, drowsiness, shaking, high excitability, an irregular heartbeat, pin-pricking pain in palms and soles, weakness in the bones, high blood pressure and excessive sleepiness.

The normal range of blood magnesium levels is 1.7–2.3 mg/dL. Normal values of the magnesium test will vary slightly from one laboratory to another. This slight variation is not significant.

The causes of low magnesium levels can depend on many reasons. Some reasons are low magnesium in the diet and excessive loss of magnesium from the body through excretion. Some conditions associated with low magnesium include diabetes, chronic diarrhea, poor food absorption due to stomach or intestinal problems, celiac disease (caused by gluten), bone disorders and so on.

Foods with high quantities of magnesium include dark chocolate, legumes, avocados, nuts, seeds (such as pumpkin, chia and flax), tofu, whole grains (such as buckwheat, quinoa and oats), fatty fish, leafy green vegetables, bananas and so on.

Your doctor will order a magnesium test if you show symptoms of low or high magnesium levels, such as muscle cramps or twitching, tiredness, changes in heartbeat and so on. This test is also done if you have a medical condition that causes low magnesium levels, such as kidney disease.

For a free second opinion, consult our experts at Yashoda Hospitals.