Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential trace element required in our body and has important role in many biochemical reactions including your heartbeat, nerve and muscle function, bone development, energy production, glucose and blood pressure regulation and protein synthesis.Magnesium is a type of electrolyte. Electrolytes are electrically charged minerals that are responsible for many important functions and processes in your body.Its deficiency leads to irritability, neuromuscular abnormalities, cardiac and renal damage. Its salts are used as antacids and cathartics also. Excessive amount may cause CNS depression, loss of muscle tone, respiratory and cardiac arrest.Magnesium measurements are used in the diagnosis and treatment of hypomagnesemia (abnormally low plasma levels of magnesium) and hypermagnesemia (abnormally high plasma levels of magnesium). Magnesium is decreased in chronic nephritis, acute pancreatitis, and alcoholic cirrhosis. It shows increase in level of acute or chronic renal failure and Addison`s Disease.

Magnesium RBC test helps in evaluation of deficiency of magnesium . A Magnesium RBC test can provide an earlier detection of Magnesium deficiency than a standard Magnesium, Serum test. When Magnesium levels are low, the body pulls Magnesium from the cells in order to keep blood levels normal. In this case, a Magnesium, Serum test may show normal levels while a Magnesium RBC test will give a more accurate result.
This test is usually required if someone is experiencing symptoms associated with Magnesium deficiency such as weakness or cramping in the muscles, confusion, cardiac arrhythmias or seizures. Magnesium levels are usually checked if someone has a disorder which affects the kidneys. It it also ordered to monitor people who are taking Magnesium supplements.

While the Serum Magnesium test measures the amount of magnesium in your blood. Magnesium is needed for your nervous, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular systems to work normally. 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.

Major dietary magnesium sources include leafy green vegetables like spinach,squash,pumpkin seeds,nuts and seeds,legumes,fish and whole grains.