Description of the blood Analysis: 

Magnesium is a vital mineral and electrolyte that is involved in more than 300 biochemical reactions in the human body. It is essential for muscle contraction, nerve function, heart rhythm, and bone strength. Most of the body’s magnesium is stored in the bones and inside cells; only about 1% of the total magnesium is found in the blood. Despite this small percentage, maintaining the correct level in the blood is critical for the electrical activity of the heart and brain.

What Does the Analysis Represent?

• Goal: To check for magnesium deficiency (hypomagnesemia) or excess (hypermagnesemia) and to evaluate electrolyte balance.
• Main Application: Investigating muscle tremors or weakness, monitoring kidney function, and evaluating patients with chronic gastrointestinal issues or those taking certain medications.
• Biological Process: It reflects the balance between magnesium absorbed from the diet and the amount excreted by the kidneys. It acts as a “spark plug” for the body’s energy production and enzyme activity.

Recommendations for the Test (General)

• Fasting: Recommended. Fasting for 8–12 hours is often requested to avoid interference from recent dietary intake, though not strictly mandatory in emergency settings.
• Supplements: Avoid taking magnesium-containing supplements, antacids, or laxatives for at least 24 hours before the test.
• Stable State: Inform your doctor if you have had recent severe diarrhea or vomiting, as this can rapidly deplete magnesium levels.
• Material: Venous blood (serum).

What Can Affect the Results?

• Kidney Health: The kidneys are responsible for excreting excess magnesium. If they are not functioning well, magnesium can build up to dangerous levels.
• Medications: Diuretics (“water pills”), proton pump inhibitors (PPIs for acid reflux), and certain antibiotics can lower magnesium levels over time.
• Alcohol: Chronic alcohol use is a leading cause of magnesium deficiency because it causes the kidneys to flush out too much of the mineral.
• Diet: A diet high in processed foods and low in leafy greens, nuts, and seeds can lead to chronically low levels.

When to Take the Test?

• Neuromuscular Symptoms: Muscle cramps, twitching (especially around the eyes), tremors, or unexplained weakness.
• Cardiac Issues: Heart palpitations or an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia).
• Digestive Disorders: If you have Celiac disease or Crohn’s disease, which interfere with mineral absorption.
• Electrolyte Imbalance: If your blood tests already show low Calcium or low Potassium, as magnesium is often low at the same time.

How to Interpret the Results?

Important: Magnesium levels must be reviewed by a doctor as they are vital for nerve and muscle function. High Magnesium: Rare, but can occur with kidney issues or excessive supplement use. Low Magnesium: Often caused by poor diet, certain medications, or digestive issues, leading to muscle cramps or fatigue..

Possible Further Investigations

• Calcium and Potassium: These electrolytes are “partners” with magnesium; if one is low, the others often are too.
• Urine Magnesium: To determine if the kidneys are losing too much magnesium or if the problem is a lack of intake/absorption.
• PTH (Parathyroid Hormone): Low magnesium can prevent the parathyroid glands from working correctly, affecting calcium levels.
• RBC Magnesium: A more specialized test that measures magnesium inside the red blood cells, which can sometimes detect a deficiency even when blood levels appear normal.

When Does the Next Step Make Sense? 

The next step is necessary if your magnesium is low, especially if you have muscle twitches or heart palpitations. Because magnesium is essential for other minerals (like calcium and potassium) to work, a deficiency can trigger a “domino effect” of health issues. If levels are low due to medications like PPIs, a doctor may need to adjust your prescriptions or recommend a specific supplement.

👉 If necessary, you can discuss the results of the analysis with a specialist, such as a Nephrologist (Doctors – TAMC), Cardiologist (Doctors – TAMC).