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The magnesium test measures the amount of the element magnesium, which is an essential nutrient. Magnesium metal is primarily present in the bones, and the right amount of this element is essential for life. Having normal magnesium levels is essential for health. Abnormal levels of magnesium may result from diseases that affect the health of the intestines and kidneys. A magnesium test is prescribed along with other diagnostic tests if the patient experiences any symptoms, such as weakness, nausea, or cardiac arrhythmia. Labwork360 provides magnesium tests in Houston and mobile phlebotomy services for at-home specimens within a 10-miles distance from the lab’s centers.
Magnesium deficiency is a risk factor for cardiac arrhythmia that makes the heartbeat irregular. Abnormal levels of potassium, calcium, or magnesium are harmful to health. Excessive and deficient levels of magnesium can negatively affect health.
A malfunction of the kidneys could cause excess excretion of magnesium in the bloodstream. Abnormalities of the digestive system and intestines can impair the absorption of magnesium. This test uses a blood sample for testing. Though only 1% of magnesium is present in the blood, thus it is difficult to measure magnesium quantity from the blood sample. If the magnesium turns out to be less, the patient likely has low potassium levels too.
The magnesium test diagnoses abnormal magnesium levels along with other tests. This is because normal magnesium levels do not necessarily show the total stored magnesium in the body. If the magnesium level gets abnormal, then the body tends to extract magnesium from the tissues and bones too. Therefore, it is possible to have normal magnesium levels in the magnesium blood test, when they are deficient.
You should get the magnesium lab test if you have any symptoms of abnormally low calcium and potassium levels. This is because magnesium has an essential role in maintaining the levels of potassium and calcium in the body. The physician checks the magnesium levels if these nutrients are deficient in the body.
Physicians prescribe the magnesium lab test also when the patient suffers from a malnutrition or malabsorption problem. Patients having chronic diarrhea, kidney problems, and diabetes, also get the magnesium test periodically.
Moreover, the intake of certain medicines also necessitates magnesium tests. For instance, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a frequent medicine used as a remedy for acid reflux. The medications from the PP1 category are associated with low magnesium levels. These medications include Nexium and Prilosec. PPIs affect the absorption of magnesium in the intestine causing hypomagnesemia. Hypomagnesemia is the name for low magnesium levels in the blood serum. Low magnesium levels measure below 1.46 mg/dL in the blood. Hypomagnesemia is associated with alcohol use disorder, chronic disease, renal losses, and gastrointestinal losses.
Patients having uncontrolled diabetes or kidney disorder must also get the magnesium test periodically, in addition to having the tests to analyze the kidney function, such as the creatinine and the BUN test. These kidney tests analyze if the kidney is excreting excess magnesium.
High magnesium levels are generally observed in patients suffering from Addison disease, diabetic acidosis, hypothyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, end-stage renal disease, and dehydration. The use of laxatives or antacids containing magnesium could also cause high magnesium levels. Common signs of magnesium overdose are:
Fatigue
Appetite Loss
Confusion
Upset stomach
Extremely low blood pressure
Vomiting
Nausea
Slow heart rate
Magnesium deficiency is rare. The risk of suffering from magnesium deficiency increases in patients who have certain disease conditions, such as Crohn's disease, kidney disease, and parathyroid disease. Specific medications used in cancer and diabetes could also cause magnesium deficiency. The risk of having magnesium deficiency increases with age.
It is rare to have excess magnesium because of only food. There are many foods containing high magnesium levels. Moreover, specific medications also cause magnesium overdose. Patients having problems absorbing nutrients, Crohn’s disease, diabetes, and alcohol abuse disorder take these supplements. Patients having low calcium and potassium levels also take magnesium supplements.
Certain health problems increase the risk of having a magnesium deficiency. These include hypoparathyroidism, uncontrolled diabetes, long-term use of diuretics, post-surgery, intense burns, pre-eclampsia, prolonged diarrhea, and digestive problems, such as Crohn's disease, malnutrition, and alcoholism.
Hypomagnesemia is the deficiency of magnesium in the blood serum. Clinical manifestations of this condition include:
Tetany
Personality change
Weakness
Lethargy
Muscle fasciculations
Tremor
Vomiting
Nausea
Anorexia
As a very small fraction of magnesium is present in the blood sample, further testing is also important to measure magnesium levels. A significant amount of magnesium is present in the bones and other parts of the body too. Other tests measure the amount of magnesium in the urine, and the quantity of magnesium in the red blood cells (RBCs). The EXA Test tests a specimen of cells from the mouth. This test measures magnesium in the cells, and not in the blood.
Fasting is generally required before having this test.
Magnesium mineral performs several necessary functions in the body. It has an essential role in higher than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. Magnesium regulates heartbeat and blood pressure. It is also important for the strength of the bones.
Magnesium is a component of several medications, such as the medications to treat intense asthma attacks and eclampsia in the state of pregnancy. It is also used in several laxatives and antacids.
Magnesium is also essential for muscle contraction, energy production, and nerve function. The cells, tissues, and bones in the body store the magnesium mineral.
Several foods contain the magnesium nutrient. These include beans, seeds, nuts, and green vegetables. Tap water also contains magnesium. Boiled spinach, dry-roasted almonds, pumpkin seeds, almonds, peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, and shredded wheat cereals contain magnesium in abundance.
Normal magnesium levels are essential for the health of the bones, steady heart rhythm, and normal blood pressure. Inflammation is also associated with heart problems, such as diabetes, certain cancers, and heart disease. Low magnesium levels increase the risk of osteoporosis. Magnesium deficiency could cause insulin resistance, endothelial dysfunction, and chronic kidney diseases (CKD). Hypomagnesemia is also an uncommon reason for seizures. The risk of having seizures in children suffering from hypomagnesemia is 16%.
Vitamin D and zinc supplements can treat magnesium deficiency. Smoking affects magnesium absorption so quitting smoking is effective in improving the absorption of magnesium. Moreover, the patient must avoid consuming any foods that contain calcium in abundance, before or after two hours of having foods that contain magnesium. Raw vegetables are also a good source of magnesium.
Doctors suggest magnesium supplements can be consumed at any time during the day, but it is important to have them consistently. Morning is the best time to take magnesium supplements. However, it is possible to take them along with dinner or just before sleeping. Yet it is important to consult with a doctor regarding your dosage of magnesium supplements.
Magnesium is not recommended with tetracyclines as it tends to reduce the deficiency of the tetracyclines. This effect could be avoided by taking calcium four hours after, or two hours before having the tetracyclines. Common tetracyclines are Achromycin, Minocin, and Declomycin.
Magnesium citrate is one of the best magnesium supplements. This mixture consists of magnesium and citrate, which is an organic salt. Magnesium citrate is comparatively cheap and it absorbs more readily than magnesium oxide.
Normal magnesium levels are important for maintaining a healthy weight. Low magnesium levels could cause weight gain as they are associated with insulin resistance. Insulin resistance results in weight gain.
Magnesium test in Houston is available at Labwork360. There are other tests that you may also need to get along with the magnesium lab test to confirm the diagnosis. Labwork360 provides all these tests to make a valid diagnosis that could be helpful in the treatment. Find out about the range of diagnostic tests available at Labwork360 at labwork360.com or consult with us on our helpline.
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Primary Text
Magnesium is one of the main elements for maintaining the health of the bones. It has a role in regulating blood pressure, heartbeat, and metabolism. Abnormal magnesium levels are associated with several diseases that affect the kidney, intestine, and cardiovascular health. Excess secretion of magnesium in the blood is a sign of kidney malfunction too. Intestine and digestive system problems and smoking could adversely affect magnesium absorption. Moreover, low magnesium levels suggest the possibility of low potassium and calcium levels too.
Only 1% magnesium is present in the blood. Moreover, in the case of low magnesium, the body starts to extract magnesium from the bones, making them weak. So, the results of the magnesium test only help in the diagnosis, along with other tests. This test is often prescribed to patients suffering from diarrhea, diabetes, and gastrointestinal and kidney disease. Certain medications may also affect magnesium levels. Magnesium deficiency is associated with diabetes, insulin resistance, osteoporosis, and certain cancers.
Zinc and vitamin D supplements are used to increase magnesium levels.