Laboratory Medicine
Test Directory / Magnesium
Magnesium
Brown clotted serum, gel barrier or lithium heparin
| Test | Magnesium |
|---|---|
| Common Abbreviations | Mg, MAG |
| Profile | NA |
| Tube type | Brown clotted serum, gel barrier or lithium heparin |
| Clinical Indication | Low serum magnesium levels are observed in chronic alcoholism, malnutrition, malabsorption, acute pancreatitis and renal dysfunction. Patients taking proton pump inhibitors may also have low magnesium levels. Increased serum magnesium levels are most commonly seen in renal failure. Magnesium may also be measured during the investigation of low levels of calcium and phosphate and to monitor patients on supplementation. |
| Specimen Type | Blood |
| Sample type | Serum or plasma |
| Minimum Volume | 0.5mL If requesting more than 10 tests please send an additional brown clotted serum sample. |
| Special Precautions | No special requirements |
| Stability | 7 days at 15-25°c |
| Turnaround Time | Inpatient: 4 hours Outpatient/ GP: 24 hours |
| Laboratory | York and Scarborough |
| Reference Interval | 0.7-1.0mmol/L (Recommended by the Pathology Harmonisation Reference Group) |
| Limitations | Haemolysed samples should be avoided due to the higher magnesium content in red blood cells. |
| Notes |
