All About Magnesium Test: What Is It, Why Is It Needed, When to Get It?
A magnesium blood test measures the amount of magnesium in a sample of blood. Magnesium plays a vital role in the body - it helps control blood pressure and blood sugar, strengthens bones, supports the immune system, and keeps muscles, nerves, and the heart working smoothly. Only a small amount of this essential mineral is found in blood; the rest is stored in bones, organs, and other body tissues. A blood test can help determine magnesium levels and detect any abnormalities or deficiency.
Want to Check Your Levels? Book a Magnesium Test Today
Key Roles of Magnesium in the Body
Magnesium is one of the major minerals the body needs to function properly. It's involved in more than 300 different enzyme activities and helps nerves send signals that allow muscles to contract properly and the heart to beat in a steady rhythm. Magnesium also helps balance the levels of important nutrients in the body, such as calcium, copper, zinc, potassium, and vitamin D.
Why is a Magnesium Test Needed?
A magnesium test is needed to check the level of magnesium in your blood. Your healthcare provider may recommend this test if:
- You have symptoms of low or high magnesium.
- You have a health condition that disrupts normal magnesium levels, such as chronic kidney disease, diabetes, malnutrition, diarrhoea, or alcohol use disorder.
- You are taking certain medicines that can increase magnesium levels, such as laxatives for constipation or antacids for heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- You are using medicines that can decrease your magnesium levels, such as certain antibiotics, diuretics, or proton pump inhibitors used to reduce stomach acid.
Regular monitoring and follow-up through a magnesium test is important in these situations to prevent dangerously low levels of magnesium.
Symptoms of Low Magnesium
When magnesium levels fall below the reference range, it's known as magnesium deficiency, or hypomagnesemia, and it can cause the following symptoms:
- Muscle cramps
- Fatigue and weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Irregular heartbeat
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tingling or numbness
- Abnormal eye movements (nystagmus)
- Seizures in extreme deficiency
Symptoms of High Magnesium
Magnesium levels above normal - a condition called hypermagnesemia - are usually very uncommon. It can occur in people with kidney disease, hypothyroidism, or cortico-adrenal insufficiency. A person with high magnesium levels may experience:
- Abdominal cramping
- Low blood pressure
- Heart arrhythmias
- Diarrhea
- Lack of focus
- Weakness
- Cardiac arrest with extremely high levels of magnesium
Are you experiencing any of these symptoms? Book a Private Magnesium Test to find your levels
What Do Low Magnesium Levels Mean in a Blood Test?
A magnesium level below the normal range in a blood test may be a sign that:
- You're not getting enough magnesium in your diet.
- Your body isn't absorbing magnesium properly.
- You are pregnant
- You have underactive parathyroid glands
- Your body is excreting more magnesium than it's taking in.
What Do High Magnesium Levels Mean in a Blood Test?
If your blood test report shows a magnesium level above normal, it may indicate:
- You're taking too much magnesium through supplements.
- You have hypothyroidism or overactive parathyroid glands
- You're taking certain medicines that are raising its level in the blood.
- Your body isn't getting rid of magnesium properly.
How Is Magnesium Level in the Body Measured?
The level of magnesium is measured in the following ways:
Serum Test for Magnesium
A serum magnesium test measures the amount of magnesium in your bloodstream. A blood sample is drawn from a vein in your arm and sent to the lab for testing.
Magnesium Red Blood Cell Test
This is a more sensitive test that measures the amount of magnesium inside your red blood cells. The testing process is the same as that of the standard magnesium blood test.
The National Blood Test Clinic offers a fast, accurate Magnesium Red Blood Cell Test across the UK - available as a private clinic visit or a home test kit.
Urine Test for Magnesium
Magnesium levels can also be measured through urine. This involves collecting your urine over 24 hours, after which the sample is tested for accurate results.
Magnesium EXA Test.
For this test, a sample is collected by swabbing the inside of the cheek to gather cells on a test strip, which is then sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Conclusion
Magnesium may only make up a small fraction of what's in your blood, but its impact on your energy, muscles, and heart is significant. If you're experiencing symptoms of low or high magnesium, don't ignore your signs. Book a private magnesium test with The National Blood Test Clinic today, or order a home test kit.
