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: Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS Last Updated: April 17, 2008
Medical Review: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Brian D. O'Brien, MD - Internal Medicine

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Topic Contents
 Test Overview
 Why It Is Done
 How To Prepare
 How It Is Done
 How It Feels
 Risks
 Results
 What Affects the Test
Arrow PointerWhat To Think About
 References
 Credits