Magnesium (Mg)

Magnesium (Mg) (mg/dL or mmol/l) is one of the blood electrolytes. Its primary functional purpose is participation in the development of conductivity and contractility of those muscles, constituting a part of the vascular wall.  Therefore, magnesium helps muscles, nerves, and heart function properly, and is involved in controlling body energy, blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

It is regulated by the activation of creatinine phosphatase phosphorylation.

Abnormalities. Disorders or diseases caused or related.

Most of the body's magnesium is in bones and cells and only a small amount is found in the blood. Nevertheless, too low or too high levels of blood magnesium can be a sign of a serious health problem.

In the case of the deficiency of blood magnesium, the clinical picture of the disease is characterized by neuromuscular hyperexcitability, spasms and asthenic feelings.

The magnesium deficiency may be a sign of:

·        Alcoholism;

·        Malnutrition;

·        Preeclampsia (if you are pregnant);

·        Chronic diarrhea;

·        Digestive disorder, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis;

·        Diabetes.

The elevated blood magnesium may be a sign of:

·        Addison disease, a disorder of the adrenal glands;

·        Kidney disease;

·        Dehydration;

·        Diabetic ketoacidosis (a life-threatening complication of diabetes);

·        Overuse of antacids or laxatives that contain magnesium.

1.       Lab Tests Online [Internet]. Washington D.C: American Association for Clinical Chemistry; c2001–2019. Magnesium [updated 2018 Dec 21; cited 2019 Jun 10]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: https://labtestsonline.org/tests/magnesium

2.       Merck Manual Consumer Version [Internet]. Kenilworth (NJ): Merck & Co., Inc.; c2019. Hypermagnesemia (High Level of Magnesium in the Blood) [updated 2018 Sep; cited 2019 Jun 10]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/hormonal-and-metabolic-disorders/electrolyte-balance/hypermagnesemia-high-level-of-magnesium-in-the-blood?query=hypermagnesemia

3.       Merck Manual Consumer Version [Internet]. Kenilworth (NJ): Merck & Co., Inc.; c2019. Hypomagnesemia (Low Level of Magnesium in the Blood) [updated 2018 Sep; cited 2019 Jun 10]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/hormonal-and-metabolic-disorders/electrolyte-balance/hypomagnesemia-low-level-of-magnesium-in-the-blood?query=magnesium%20deficiency

4.       Merck Manual Consumer Version [Internet]. Kenilworth (NJ): Merck & Co., Inc.; c2019. Overview of Magnesium's Role in the Body [updated 2018 Sep; cited 2019 Jun 10]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/hormonal-and-metabolic-disorders/electrolyte-balance/overview-of-magnesium-s-role-in-the-body?query=magnesium