Magnesium (Mg)

What To Think About

• A test for magnesium may be done along with testing for other electrolytes, such as calcium, chloride, potassium, and phosphorus. For more information, see the medical tests Calcium (Ca) in Blood, Chloride (Cl), Potassium (K) in Blood, and Phosphate in Blood.
• The amounts of magnesium and calcium in the body are often closely related.
• Having low magnesium levels is rare. Symptoms of a magnesium deficiency include weakness, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, shaking, twitching, and seizures. Low magnesium levels are usually caused by not eating enough of the foods that contain magnesium or from problems that block the way food is absorbed from the intestines.

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Author:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: May 19, 2006
Medical Review:	Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine Tom Bailey, MD - Family Medicine
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