Magnesium blood test

A blood sample is needed.

No special preparation is needed.

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel slight pain. Others feel a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. This soon goes away.

This test is done when your health care provider suspects you have an abnormal level of magnesium in your blood. Only a small amount of the body’s total amount of magnesium is found in the blood. About one half of the body's magnesium is found in bone. The other half is found inside cells of body tissues and organs.…

The normal range for blood magnesium level is 1.7 to 2.2 mg/dL (0.85 to 1.10 mmol/L). Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.

A high blood magnesium level may be due to: Adrenal insufficiency (the glands are not producing enough hormones) Diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening problem in people with diabetes Lithium use Loss of kidney function ( acute or chronic renal failure ) Loss of body fluids ( dehydration ) Milk alkali syndrome (a…

There is little risk in having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others. Other risks may include: Excessive bleeding Fainting or feeling lightheaded Multiple punctures to…

Klemm KM, Klein MJ, Zhang Y. Biochemical markers of bone metabolism. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods . 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 16. Mason JB, Booth SL. Vitamins, trace minerals, and other micronutrients. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI,…