Magnesium
(Mg, Mag)

Sample type

Serum

Uses

1-Diagnosis and monitoring of hypomagnesemia and hypermagnesemia, especially in renal failure or GI disorders.

2-To monitor preeclampsia patients being treated with magnesium sulfate, although in most cases, monitoring clinical signs (respiratory rate and deep tendon reflexes) is adequate, and blood magnesium levels are not required

Precautions

No special precaution required

Interferring factor

1-Serum magnesium levels may remain normal even when total body stores of magnesium are depleted up to 20%.

2-Phylate, fatty acids, and an excess of phosphate impair Mg absorption.

3-Hemolysis yields elevated results because levels in erythrocytes are two to three times higher than in serum

Pre analytical error

1-hemolysis give incorrect results.

Corrective action

1-reject the sample and require another one.

Post-analytical errors

1-Writing a wrong result or wrong name in the report

2-report were sent to incorrect patient

The corrective actions

1- If the report is not delivered to the patient and this error is discovered the correct result or the correct name must be written, but if the report is delivered to the patient must communicate with him and tell him that an error has occurred and replace with the correct report.

2-Communicate with patient ,apologizing for the error, and providing him with the correct report

Reference range

0-2 years: 1.6-2.7 mg/dL

3-5 years: 1.6-2.6 mg/dL

6-8 years: 1.6-2.5 mg/dL

9-11 years: 1.6-2.4 mg/dL

12-17 years: 1.6-2.3 mg/dL

> 17 years: 1.7-2.3 mg/dL