Element essential for life.Encyclopedia Entry for Magnesium :Magnesium blood test. A blood sample is needed.No special preparation is needed.When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel slight pain. Others feel a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. This soon goes away.This test is done when your health care provider suspects you have an abnormal level of magnesium in your blood. About half of the body's magnesium is found in bone. The other half is found inside cells of body tissues and organs. Magnesium is needed for many chemical processes in the body. It helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, and keeps the bones strong. Magnesium is also needed for the heart to function normally and to help regulate blood pressure. Magnesium also helps the body control blood sugar level and helps support the body's defense (immune) system.The normal range for blood magnesium level is 1.7 to 2.2 mg/dL (0.85 to 1.10 mmol/L). Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.A high magnesium level may indicate: The adrenal glands are not producing enough hormones ( Addison disease ) Loss of kidney function ( chronic renal failure ) Loss of body fluids ( dehydration ) Diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening problem in people with diabetes Producing less urine than usual ( oliguria ) A low magnesium level may indicate: Alcoholism or severe alcohol withdrawal ( delirium tremens ) Long-term (chronic) diarrhea Treatment to remove waste from the blood ( hemodialysis ) Scarring of the liver and loss of liver function ( cirrhosis ) Adrenal gland produces too much of the hormone aldosterone ( hyperaldosteronism ) Parathyroid glands do not produce enough parathyroid hormone ( hypoparathyroidism ) Inflammation of the pancreas ( pancreatitis ) Too much insulin High blood pressure and protein in the urine in a pregnant woman ( preeclampsia ) Inflammation of the lining of the large intestine and rectum ( ulcerative colitis ).There is very little risk in having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others. Other risks may include: Excessive bleeding Fainting or feeling lightheaded Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin) Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken).Magnesium - blood.Blood test Blood test.Chernecky CC, Berger BJ. Magnesium serum.Encyclopedia Entry for Magnesium :Magnesium in diet. Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It helps to maintain normal nerve and muscle function, supports a healthy immune system, keeps the heart beat steady, and helps bones remain strong. It also helps regulate blood glucose levels and aid in the production of energy and protein. There is ongoing research into the role of magnesium in preventing and managing disorders such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. However, taking magnesium supplements is not currently recommended. Diets high in protein, calcium, or vitamin D will increase the need for magnesium.Most dietary magnesium comes from vegetables, such as dark green, leafy vegetables. Other foods that are good sources of magnesium: Fruits or vegetables (such as bananas, dried apricots, and avocados) Nuts (such as almonds and cashews) Peas and beans (legumes), seeds Soy products (such as soy flour and tofu) Whole grains (such as brown rice and millet) Milk.Side effects from increased magnesium intake are not common. The body generally removes excess amounts. Magnesium excess almost always occurs only when a person is taking in too much of the mineral in supplement form. Although you may not get enough magnesium from your diet, it is rare to be truly deficient in magnesium. The symptoms of such a deficiency include: Hyperexcitability Muscle weakness Sleepiness Deficiency of magnesium can occur in people who abuse alcohol or in those who absorb less magnesium including: People with gastrointestinal disease or surgery causing malabsorption Older adults People with type 2 diabetes Symptoms due to a lack of magnesium have three categories. Early symptoms: Loss of appetite Nausea Vomiting Fatigue Weakness Moderate deficiency symptoms: Numbness Tingling Muscle contractions and cramps Seizures Personality changes Abnormal heart rhythms Severe deficiency: Low blood calcium level (hypocalcemia) Low blood potassium level (hypokalemia).These are the recommended daily requirements of magnesium: Infants Birth to 6 months: 30 mg/day* 6 months to 1 year: 75 mg/day* *AI or Adequate Intake Children 1 to 3 years old: 80 milligrams 4 to 8 years old: 130 milligrams 9 to 13 years old: 240 milligrams 14 to 18 years old (boys): 410 milligrams 14 to 18 years old (girls): 360 milligrams Adults Adult males: 400 to 420 miligrams Adult females: 310 to 320 milligrams Pregnancy: 350 to 400 milligrams Breastfeeding women: 310 to 360 milligrams Adult males: 400 to 420 milligrams.Diet - magnesium.Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Vitamin D, and Fluoride. National Academies Press. Washington, DC, 1997. PMID: 23115811 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23115811. Mason JB. Vitamins, trace minerals, and other micronutrients.