Magnesium deficiency (insufficiency)

Magnesium is a mineral that enters the human body with food and is absorbed by the intestines. Accumulates in cells, bones and tissues. Participates in:

• building bones;
• conduction of nerve impulses;
• energy production by the body;
• muscle contraction.

Regulation of magnesium levels occurs in the gastrointestinal tract, and it is excreted by the kidneys.

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Name in English: (Mg, Magnesium)

Magnesium is a trace element that plays an important role in the functioning of the human body. It is involved in the normal functioning of the muscular and nervous systems and is a cofactor for about a hundred enzymes.

Magnesium is a vital mineral involved in energy production, muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission, and bone structure. It enters the body from food, being absorbed in the small and large intestines. Magnesium is mainly concentrated in bones, cells and tissues. About 1% of the total amount of magnesium is found in the blood. The body maintains magnesium levels by regulating its absorption in the gastrointestinal tract and excretion through the kidneys. Magnesium deficiency (hypomagnesemia) can be caused by excessive loss of magnesium in the urine, malnutrition, as well as conditions accompanied by malabsorption (poor absorption).

Prolonged and severe deficiency is fraught with nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, confusion, muscle spasms, numbness or tingling in the extremities. Excess magnesium (hypermagnesemia) sometimes occurs after an overdose of antacids containing its compounds and when the excretory function of the kidneys decreases. People with a mild deficiency of this mineral may not show symptoms. Symptoms of excess are similar to those of deficiency and may also include nausea, muscle weakness and irregular heart rhythms.

Magnesium levels are not checked as often as other micronutrient levels. Basically, its measurement is carried out with significant changes in calcium levels and with the above symptoms of calcium deficiency.

Magnesium in the blood

In blood serum, approximately half of magnesium ions, like calcium, are in ionized (free) form, the other half are complexed with proteins or in the form of various salts. The reasons for changes in the level of magnesium in the blood are mainly due to disturbances in the supply of the ion through the gastrointestinal tract and/or renal dysfunction.

Hypomagnesemia often develops due to loss or insufficient supply of Mg through the gastrointestinal tract. Mg losses are high in acute and chronic dyspepsia, enteritis, ulcerative colitis, and the presence of intestinal fistula. 20% of severe hypomagnesemia occurs in acute intestinal obstruction and edematous pancreatitis. Reduced magnesium content in the blood in alcoholism. Increased excretion of magnesium, caused by damage to the renal tubules, hormonal disorders, intoxication, iatrogenic influences, is also a common cause of hypomagnesemia. Hypercalcemia, by reducing the reabsorption of Mg in the tubules, contributes to hypomagnesemia.

A physiological decrease in the concentration of magnesium in the blood can occur with an increased need for the macronutrient in the body during the period of active growth, during pregnancy, and during significant physical activity.

Increased levels of magnesium in the blood are found in cases of impaired renal function, dehydration, severe diabetic acidosis and Addison's disease. Hypermagnesemia is noted in hypothyroidism, lactic acidosis, hepatitis, malignant neoplasms, and renal failure.

Indications for the study

• Neurological pathology;
• hypertension, arrhythmia;
• kidney diseases;
• diseases of the endocrine system (hyper- and hypothyroidism, acromegaly, pheochromocytoma, adrenal insufficiency, hypofunction of thyroid C-cells, diabetes mellitus, etc.);
• taking diuretics and other medications whose effects or side effects include changes in magnesium levels (aminoglycosides, cyclosporine, etc.).

Features of sample collection and storage.

Blood collection for a magnesium test should be carried out with minimal compression of the vein, without muscle load. Do not use oxalate, citrate or EDTA as anticoagulants. Serum or plasma (heparin) should be carefully and quickly separated from the cellular elements of the blood.

Research method.

The most common in modern laboratory practice are colorimetric methods for determining the level of magnesium in the blood, based on the formation of colored complexes specific for magnesium.

Increased values

• Kidney failure;
• adrenal insufficiency;
• overdose of magnesium, lithium, laxatives, antacids;
• dehydration.

Reduced values

• Insufficient intake of magnesium from food;
• magnesium absorption disorders (malabsorption syndrome, diarrhea, etc.);
• kidney diseases;

endocrine diseases (hyperthyroidism, primary aldosteronism, diabetes, etc.);

• long-term therapy with diuretics, the use of cytostatics, immunosuppressants, cyclosporine;
• chronic alcoholism;
• hypercalcemia;
• 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy, excess lactation;
• primary hypomagnesemia;
• hypovolemia, stress, acute infectious diseases.

Material under study

Deoxygenated blood

Interpretation of research results contains information for the attending physician and is not a diagnosis. The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. The doctor makes an accurate diagnosis using both the results of this examination and the necessary information from other sources: medical history, results of other examinations, etc.

Units: mmol/l

Reference values: over 20 years: 0.7–1.1 mmol/l

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When should you get tested for magnesium?

Your doctor will advise you to undergo such an analysis if many types of neurological pathologies have been identified. These include seizures, increased excitability, tremors and much more.

The study is also recommended when diagnosing arrhythmia and renal failure, malfunction of the adrenal glands. It is also necessary to check your magnesium level in order to draw conclusions about the current state of the thyroid gland.

Symptoms of magnesium deficiency include the following:

• Manifestation of anxiety, panic attacks, constant feeling of stress.
• Tingling or cramping in the fingers.
• Attacks of dizziness.
• Feeling tired, depressed, depressed.
• Regular migraine.

Potassium and its significance in a biochemical blood test (K)

Potassium (“K”) is an essential chemical element that creates the necessary conditions for various reactions to occur. It is found in the body in the form of cations - positively charged ions located inside the cell (in the intracellular fluid).

The content in the intercellular fluid is no more than 2% - this is exactly the potassium that is determined during biochemical analysis. A change in this indicator can be observed both in various physiological conditions and in pathology, and a decrease in the concentration in the blood - hypokalemia - is life-threatening and can have serious consequences.

The norm is 3.4 – 5.0 mmol/l. At the same time, it provides:

• Correct heart rate;
• Myocardial contraction;
• The work of skeletal muscles;
• Conduction of nerve impulses through neurons;
• Water-salt balance.

For normal maintenance of the above functions, a sufficient supply of “K” from food is necessary, since there are no own reserves of this chemical element. A lot is found in vegetables (especially greens, potatoes), fruits and grains.

The level of “K” is affected by the rate of its elimination. A decrease in concentration is caused by:

• Kidney diseases;
• Water-salt and acid-base imbalance;
• Hormonal changes (especially mineralocorticoids);
• Uncontrolled use of diuretics;
• Intoxication with repeated vomiting or diarrhea;
• Severe inflammatory processes;
• Deficiency of other minerals;
• Disorders of respiratory and circulatory function.

Hypokalemia – level in biochemistry less than 3.5 mmol/l. At the same time, it develops:

• Severe fatigue;
• Muscle pain;
• Arrhythmia up to cardiac arrest;
• Reduced activity of gastrointestinal motility with subsequent constipation up to dynamic intestinal obstruction;
• Slowing reflexes;
• Slowing down of mental processes;
• Pathology of urination.

Conditions in which the norm is exceeded - hyperkalemia - are somewhat less common. However, this happens when:

• Kidney failure;
• Reverse mineralocorticoid disorders;
• Release of the cation into the intercellular space due to extensive injuries, tumors, poisoning, taking antibiotics or chemotherapy drugs, acid-base imbalance;
• Overdose of drugs with “K”;
• Enhanced diet.

The clinical picture of hyperkalemia is similar to the symptoms that occur with ion deficiency. This is due to the general nature of the occurrence of such signs - a violation of the electrochemical potential of membranes, which is characterized by:

• Arrhythmia;
• Weakening of skeletal muscles up to paralysis;
• Apathetic mood;
• Blood pressure instability (jumps from low to high).

Thus, the exchange of “K” is extremely important for maintaining the normal functioning of both each individual cell and the entire organism as a whole. Therefore, if any symptoms appear that may correspond to hypo- or hyperkalemia, it is imperative to take biochemistry tests.

How to prepare for the procedure

To pass such an analysis, a special preparation process will be required. Donate blood; this must be done on an empty stomach. The standard window for delivery is from 8.00 to 11.00.

You also need to follow a special diet. The last meal takes place at least 8 hours before visiting the treatment room. For dinner, you should not eat heavy, fatty foods.

One to two hours before the procedure you will need to stop smoking. The analysis must be taken in a calm, rested state.

To get quick and accurate results, you need to contact our laboratory.
Call or leave a request on the website to get answers to your questions. Addresses of offices where you can get tested

Description

If you need to take a magnesium test in Ufa, contact the MediaLab clinical diagnostic laboratory. We use advanced equipment to ensure rapid provision of accurate indicators based on the results of the review of biological material.

Magnesium belongs to the category of important substances that affect human health. Normally, its content in the body should be from 20 to 28 g. Usually the substance is found inside cells, and also about one percent in the blood.

The main task of the substance is to enable more than three hundred enzymatic reactions to occur. It is important for stabilizing heart rate and is involved in the metabolism of other microelements.

A lack or increased content of magnesium leads to the fact that a person begins to feel unwell, gets sick, and complains of a strong general deterioration in his condition.

Magnesium deficiency (insufficiency)

In terms of specific gravity in the chemical composition of the human body, magnesium ranks fourth after sodium, potassium and calcium, its total content reaches 25 g, and almost all magnesium is an intracellular cation. Magnesium serves as an essential cofactor for more than three hundred enzymes that regulate various body functions.

Magnesium plays a leading role in energy, plastic and electrolyte metabolism, acts as a regulator of cell growth, and is necessary at all stages of the synthesis of protein molecules. In particular, the normal functioning of ribosomes and the binding of messenger RNA, a key mechanism of protein biosynthesis, depend on the presence of a sufficient amount of magnesium in the body. In addition, magnesium takes part in phosphorus metabolism, ATP synthesis, regulation of glycolysis, bone tissue building, etc.

The role of magnesium is especially important in membrane transport processes, where it is a natural calcium antagonist. Magnesium helps inhibit the contractile activity of smooth and transverse muscles by relaxing individual cells (myocytes) by blocking the calcium-dependent interaction of contractile proteins.

Finally, the most important role of magnesium is that it serves as a natural anti-stress factor, inhibits the development of excitation processes in the central nervous system and reduces the body’s sensitivity to external influences.

The daily requirement for magnesium is 350-400 mg for men and 280-300 mg for women. During pregnancy and lactation, the need for magnesium increases by 20-30% (up to 340-355 mg).

According to some researchers, 25-30% of the US population has insufficient dietary intake of magnesium. This is largely due to modern food processing technologies and the use of mineral fertilizers when growing vegetables, leading to magnesium deficiency in the soil and, accordingly, in plant products. In addition, the cause of magnesium deficiency can be excess calcium in food, alcoholism, the use of diuretics, nutritional disorders, absorption in the small intestine (infectious and inflammatory diseases: enteritis, gastroenteritis), endocrine pathology (diabetes mellitus, hypersecretion of aldosterone and thyroid hormones), chronic stress, sports activities, as well as pregnancy and lactation.

Even from the list of causes of magnesium deficiency, one can draw a conclusion about its prevalence. Currently, the role of magnesium deficiency in the development of various forms of pathology has been proven: cardiovascular (arterial hypertension, arrhythmias, coronary heart disease), endocrine (diabetes mellitus), psychoneurological (depression, dizziness, migraine, memory disorders, seizures).