Magnesium in the blood

Magnesium is a trace element that ensures the normal functioning of the nervous and muscular systems, and is also a part of many enzymes. Analysis to determine the concentration of magnesium ions in serum is in demand in Nephrology, urology, gynecology and endocrinology. Most often, it is performed together with a biochemical blood test, tests to detect the level of hormones and other electrolytes in the urine and serum. Indications for the appointment may be kidney disease, neurological or cardiac pathology, disorders of the endocrine glands. The study material is venous blood serum. Determination of the concentration of magnesium ions is carried out using selective electrodes. Normally, in patients over 20 years of age, the obtained values range from 0.66 to 1.07 mmol/l. The time limit for performing the analysis does not exceed 1 day.

Magnesium is a trace element that ensures the normal functioning of the nervous and muscular systems, and is also a part of many enzymes. Analysis to determine the concentration of magnesium ions in serum is in demand in Nephrology, urology, gynecology and endocrinology. Most often, it is performed together with a biochemical blood test, tests to detect the level of hormones and other electrolytes in the urine and serum. Indications for the appointment may be kidney disease, neurological or cardiac pathology, disorders of the endocrine glands. The study material is venous blood serum. Determination of the concentration of magnesium ions is carried out using selective electrodes. Normally, in patients over 20 years of age, the obtained values range from 0.66 to 1.07 mmol/l. The time limit for performing the analysis does not exceed 1 day.

Magnesium in the blood is a biochemical indicator that reflects the metabolism of the electrolyte, revealing the state of Hypo – and hypermagnesemia. The lack or excess of this trace element leads to disorders in the nervous and muscular systems.

Magnesium is involved in energy metabolism, transmission of nerve impulses, the contraction of muscle fibers, creating a bone skeleton and the production of nucleic acids. Its source is food: nuts, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes. Absorption occurs in the small and large intestines, excretion-mainly through the kidneys. This trace element accumulates in bone and muscle tissue, red blood cells and liver cells. The intercellular fluid and plasma contain 1% magnesium, it is presented in ionized form, as well as in complexes with proteins and anions.

Hypomagnesemia – a magnesium deficiency. It develops with excessive excretion of trace elements in the urine, insufficient intake from food and impaired absorption in the intestine. Hypermagnesemia – excess magnesium. Often occurs due to an overdose of antacids and decreased excretory function of the kidneys. A change in the level of magnesium in the blood pressure occurs when the amount of trace element in the body is 80% higher or lower than normal, that is, when there is a pronounced deficit or excess of it. These conditions are accompanied by similar symptoms, which include muscle spasms, confusion, heart palpitations, and nausea.

In the laboratory, the level of magnesium can be determined in the urine portion and in the blood serum. The study of its concentration is most often performed by ion-selective or colorimetric method. The analysis is widely used in urology and Nephrology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, and neurology.

Indications

Analysis for magnesium in the blood is prescribed for kidney diseases accompanied by a weakening or strengthening of excretory function, disorders in the gastrointestinal tract with a decrease in absorption, pathologies of the endocrine system that lead to changes in magnesium metabolism, as well as neurological and cardiovascular symptoms, the cause of which may be Hypo-or hypermagnesemia. Thus, the list of indications includes kidney failure, cardiac arrhythmia, convulsions, confusion, diabetes, adrenal insufficiency, hypothyroidism, malabsorption syndrome, and some other conditions.

A blood magnesium test is prescribed when a decrease in indicators in tests for calcium, potassium, phosphorus and/or parathyroid hormone is detected to determine the cause of the deviation from the norm. In addition, the basis for the appointment of the study may be complaints that are characteristic of an excess or deficiency of magnesium: headache and heart pain, arrhythmia, feeling of lack of air, muscle weakness, cramps, numbness of the limbs, “goosebumps”, dry mouth, nausea, drowsiness, emotional disorders in the form of irritability, depression and tension. The study is periodically conducted to assess the condition of patients on parenteral nutrition, undergoing hemodialysis, taking magnesium preparations and diuretics.

Blood sampling for magnesium testing is contraindicated in patients in a state of psychomotor agitation, with a marked decrease in blood pressure, anemia, and clotting disorders. It should also be borne in mind that the normal result of the study does not exclude a violation of magnesium metabolism – Hypo – or hypermagnesemia, since in such disorders the body is able to maintain a stable level of electrolyte in the blood for a long time due to its removal from cells. This analysis allows you to evaluate the metabolism of not only magnesium, but also other related trace elements: calcium, potassium and phosphorus.

Pr

Preparation for analysis and material collection

e concentration of magnesium is determined in the serum isolated from venous blood. The material is collected in the morning on an empty stomach. Dinner – no later than 8 hours before the procedure. During the last 30 minutes, it is necessary to refrain from Smoking, physical activity and emotions. Medications may affect the result of the analysis, so you should warn your doctor about taking them.

When taking blood, the vein is clamped with a tourniquet for a minimum amount of time, no muscle load is required. The material is placed in a sealed test tube and delivered to the laboratory within a few hours. After separation of the serum, the study can be carried out by titrimetric, flame photometric, atomic absorption, ion-selective or colorimetric method. The latter is used most often, as it is quite sensitive and does not require large time and labor costs. It is based on the ability of magnesium to form colored complexes with reagents (with titanium yellow, xylidine blue). The amount of electrolyte is determined by the color intensity of the resulting solution. The results are ready in no more than 1 business day.

Norm

Normal value

ally, the level of magnesium in the blood of children under one year ranges from 0.6 to 0.9 mmol/l, from 1 year to 20 years – from 0.7 to 0.9 mmol/l, in adults-from 0.7 to 1.1 mmol/l. It should be taken into account that the corridor of reference values may differ slightly for different laboratories, since the indicators depend on the characteristics of analyzers, the type and sensitivity of reagents. For a more accurate definition of the norm, it is necessary to compare the obtained indicators with those indicated in the “reference values” column on the results form. A physiological decrease in magnesium levels is possible during pregnancy and lactation, as well as with an excess of fat and calcium in the diet.
Increasing the level of magnesium

Excess magnesium in food is very rarely the cause of an increase in its level in the blood. Most often, the concentration of electrolyte increases when the mechanisms of excretion are violated due to acute or chronic renal failure, disorders in the work of the endocrine glands: hypothyroidism, Addison’s disease, hyperparathyroidism, lack of growth hormone. The amount of magnesium in the blood increases when it is redistributed in the body. Exit from cells occurs with injuries to muscles and bones, hemolysis, acute blood lysis syndrome. Another reason for high levels of magnesium in the blood can be dehydration – the body’s loss of fluid and blood clots. An increase in the concentration of electrolyte leads to taking or intravenous administration of drugs with magnesium (including antacids), thyroxine, lithium salts, aspirin, progesterone, haloperidol and prednisone, an overdose of vitamin D.

The de

The decrease in the level of magnesium

ason for a decrease in the level of magnesium in the blood can be its insufficient intake during fasting, diets, intravenous administration of nutrients, malabsorption syndrome, an unbalanced diet. Also, a decrease in the concentration of electrolyte occurs with its increased excretion through the digestive tract during vomiting, diarrhea, after surgery, through the kidneys – with chronic renal failure, violations of repeated absorption of magnesium in the tubules. The reason for a decrease in the level of magnesium in the blood is its redistribution – transport into cells during intravenous insulin therapy, active tissue growth (healing, tumor growth, growth of the body as a whole), and hungry bone syndrome. Other reasons for reducing the amount of magnesium in the blood are hemodialysis procedures, hyperfunction of the thyroid and parathyroid glands, increased production of aldosterone, burns and operations, deficiency of phosphates and calcium, use of diuretics, oral contraceptives, laxatives and calcium salts.

Treatmen

Treatment of abnormalities

for magnesium in the blood is of diagnostic value in diseases of the kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, endocrine glands, heart and blood vessels, bone and muscle systems. If the results indicate Hypo-or hypermagnesemia, you should contact the doctor who ordered the study-a nephrologist, urologist, gastroenterologist, endocrinologist, cardiologist or neurologist. The specialist will determine the cause of the violation and prescribe the necessary treatment. A physiological decrease in the concentration of magnesium in the blood can be eliminated by adjusting the diet. It is necessary to consume daily foods rich in trace elements: nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, cereals and legumes, as well as reduce the amount of fat, because they prevent the absorption of magnesium in the intestines.