Magnesium Testing

[humbird753]

My husband went for a physical last week, and received results in the mail today.

I found it interesting that they say they tested (by blood) his Magnesium and his level is normal

I didn't think our Magnesium levels could be tested by blood.

Paula

[tex]

Hi Paula,

Yes, that's a very common test, and it's the only magnesium test that most doctors ever order. But unless virtually every muscle cell in our body is completely out of magnesium, the test results will always be normal because when the diet is deficient in magnesium, the body pulls magnesium from muscle cells to keep the blood magnesium level in the normal range.

This is because magnesium is a vital electrolyte, so the blood levels have to remain in the normal range in order for the heart, lungs, kidney's, etc., to continue to function normally. If a test result is below normal, then the patient's body has run out of magnesium, and the risk of a stroke or heart attack goes way up. That's why leg or foot cramps during the night may be a sign of a serious potential problem.

The problem is that a patient can be 1 hour away from running critically low on magnesium, and the blood test result will still be fine. The blood test will only show a problem after all of the reserve supply of magnesium is gone.

Tex

[humbird753]

Thank you, Tex. That's very interesting how that works.

Paula