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Test Code MG Magnesium LAB103

Performing Laboratory

UnityPoint The Finley Hospital

Test Method

Colorimetric; Roche cobas Pro

Performance

Testing is performed Monday through Sunday.

Routine: Typically completed within 4 hours after the specimen arrives at the testing site.

STAT: Typically completed within 30 minutes after the specimen arrives at the testing site.

Specimen Requirement

  1. Lithium heparin plasma (green) is the specimen of choice. 0.5mL
  2. Serum (red/gold) is also an acceptable sample type.
  3. Gel tubes are acceptable. 
  4. It is recommended that the serum be separated from contact with cells within 2 hours from time of collection.
  5. Magnesium specimens are stable for 7 days at 15-25°C, 2 days at 2-8°C, and 1 year at -20°C.

Useful For

Magnesium determination is useful in assessing several diseases and conditions. High magnesium is associated with uremia, dehydration, diabetic acidosis, Addison’s Disease and increased medicinal intake of magnesium, such as treatment of preeclampsia (hypertension induced by pregnancy). Low magnesium is associated with malabsorption syndrome, acute pancreatitis, hypoparathyroidism, chronic alcoholism and delirium tremens, chronic glomerulonephritis, aldosteronism, digitalis intoxication and prolonged I.V. administration.

Reference Values

Age  Expected Range 
<5 months 1.5 - 2.2 mg/dL 
5 months - 6 years 1.7 - 2.3 mg/dL 
6 - 12 years 1.7 - 2.1 mg/dL 
12 - 20 years 1.7 - 2.2 mg/dL 
20 - 60 years 1.6 - 2.6 mg/dL 
60 - 90 years 1.6 - 2.4 mg/dL 
>90 years 1.7 - 2.3 mg/dL 

 

Critical values: less than (<) 1.0 mg/dL or greater than (>) 4.0 mg/dL

CPT Code Information

83735 Chemistry: Magnesium

LOINC Code Information

19123-9 Magnesium [Mass/Volume] In Serum Or Plasma