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Magnesium Blood Test: What Your Results Mean

Magnesium is an essential mineral that acts as a cofactor in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, including energy production (ATP synthesis), DNA and protein synthesis, muscle relaxation, and nerve transmission. It is also critical for regulating calcium and potassium levels. Magnesium deficiency is common and often under-recognised because blood levels do not always reflect total body stores.

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Normal Range

1.7 – 2.2 mg/dL

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Unit

mg/dL

What Your Results Mean

Normal

A normal magnesium level suggests adequate dietary intake and proper kidney regulation. Your body has enough magnesium to support energy metabolism, cardiovascular function, neuromuscular activity, and the proper balance of other electrolytes.

High

High magnesium (hypermagnesaemia) is uncommon and almost always caused by kidney failure (reduced excretion) or excessive magnesium supplementation (including antacids and laxatives). Symptoms range from nausea and low blood pressure to loss of reflexes, respiratory depression, and cardiac arrest in severe cases.

Low

Low magnesium (hypomagnesaemia) is frequently caused by poor dietary intake, malabsorption (Crohn's disease, coeliac disease), alcoholism, type 2 diabetes, prolonged diarrhoea, or medications such as proton pump inhibitors and diuretics. It can cause muscle cramps, tremors, irregular heartbeat, anxiety, and difficulty correcting low calcium or potassium levels.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the symptoms of low magnesium? expand_more
Symptoms of hypomagnesaemia include muscle cramps and spasms, tremors, anxiety, insomnia, irregular heartbeat, fatigue, and weakness. Because magnesium is needed to regulate calcium and potassium, low magnesium can also cause low levels of these minerals that are difficult to treat without correcting magnesium first.
What causes low magnesium? expand_more
Common causes include inadequate dietary intake, excessive alcohol use, prolonged diarrhoea or vomiting, malabsorption disorders (coeliac disease, Crohn's disease), type 2 diabetes, and medications such as proton pump inhibitors, diuretics, and some antibiotics.
What is the normal magnesium level? expand_more
Normal serum magnesium is 1.7 to 2.2 mg/dL (or 0.7 to 0.9 mmol/L). However, serum magnesium reflects only a fraction of total body stores — most magnesium is inside cells and bones. It is possible to be deficient in total body magnesium while serum levels appear normal.
How can I increase magnesium levels? expand_more
Eat magnesium-rich foods such as nuts (especially almonds and cashews), seeds, dark leafy greens, legumes, whole grains, and dark chocolate. If dietary changes are insufficient, magnesium supplements (magnesium glycinate or citrate are well-tolerated) may be recommended by your doctor.
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