# Magnesium

> Magnesium in the blood is essential for numerous body functions. It plays a critical role in over 300 enzyme reactions, including those involved in energy 

*Source: [https://www.health3.app/biomarkers/magnesium](https://www.health3.app/biomarkers/magnesium)*

### On This Page

- What it measures
- Measurement units
- Reference ranges
- Health impact
- Related biomarkers
- Scientific references

## What is Magnesium?

Magnesium in the blood is essential for numerous body functions. It plays a critical role in over 300 enzyme reactions, including those involved in energy production, DNA and protein synthesis, and regulation of blood glucose and blood pressure. Magnesium is important for muscle and nerve function, maintaining a regular heartbeat, and supporting a healthy immune system. It also contributes to bone health, acting in concert with calcium and vitamin D.

**Hypomagnesemia**, or low magnesium levels, can lead to a variety of symptoms and health issues. These include muscle cramps or spasms, weakness, and tremors. Neurological symptoms such as confusion, irritability, and decreased memory can also occur. Severe magnesium deficiency can affect heart rhythm, potentially leading to arrhythmias. **Magnesium deficiency can impair vitamin D function and vitamins B1 and B6 utilisation.** Common causes of low magnesium levels include inadequate dietary intake, alcoholism, gastrointestinal disorders, and certain medications. **High levels of calcium can hinder magnesium absorption.**

**Hypermagnesemia**, or high magnesium levels, is less common but can be serious. It typically occurs due to excessive supplementation or in individuals with impaired kidney function who cannot adequately excrete magnesium. Symptoms of high magnesium levels include nausea, vomiting, facial flushing, urinary retention, lethargy, and in severe cases, heart problems like low blood pressure and cardiac arrest. **High levels of magnesium can reduce the absorption and utilization of calcium, potentially weakening bones and affecting muscle function.**

**Factors that support healthy blood magnesium levels**:

- An adequate intake of magnesium through a balanced diet that includes leafy green vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and legumes supports healthy levels.
- Managing underlying health conditions that may affect magnesium levels, such as gastrointestinal disorders or kidney disease, is best done in collaboration with a healthcare provider.
- The interaction between magnesium and other nutrients, such as **calcium**, is relevant. A balanced intake of these nutrients supports their absorption and utilization.
- Limiting alcohol consumption helps, as excessive alcohol intake can contribute to magnesium deficiency.

## Measurement Units

Magnesium can be measured in: mEq/L, mg/100mL, mg/dL, mg/L, mg%, mmol/L, µg/mL, µmol/L

## Reference Ranges by Age and Gender

Reference ranges represent typical values for healthy individuals. Your healthcare provider must interpret your specific results.

| Age Range | Gender | Unit | Optimal | Normal | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All ages | All genders | mmol/L | - | 0.65 - 1.05 | Pagana, 2019 |

## Related Biomarkers

- [**Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) in Whole Blood**](https://www.health3.app/biomarkers/vitaminb1t)

 Magnesium is a cofactor for thiamine-dependent enzymes. Adequate magnesium levels are necessary for the proper functioning of these enzymes, which are involved in carbohydrate metabolism. A deficiency in magnesium can impair the activation and utilization of thiamine.[Lonsdale, 2015][Rifai, 2023][Osiezagha, 2013][Peake, 2013]
- [**Calcium**](https://www.health3.app/biomarkers/calcium)

 Calcium and Magnesium compete for absorption and an imbalance in one of them may affect the availability of the other[Dai, 2013][Bertinato, 2014].

## Related tools

- [**Blood Test Unit Converter**](https://www.health3.app/tools/blood-test-unit-converter)

## Academic References

1. Razzaque MS and Uwitonze AM. Role of Magnesium in Vitamin D Activation and Function (2018). *J Am Osteopath Assoc*. [DOI: 10.7556/jaoa.2018.037](https://doi.org/10.7556/jaoa.2018.037)
2. Lonsdale D. Thiamine and magnesium deficiencies: keys to disease (2015). *Med Hypotheses*. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2014.12.004](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2014.12.004)
3. Barbagallo M and Dominguez LJ. Magnesium and type 2 diabetes (2015). *World J Diabetes*. [DOI: 10.4239/wjd.v6.i10.1152](https://doi.org/10.4239/wjd.v6.i10.1152)
4. Nielsen FH. Magnesium deficiency and increased inflammation: current perspectives (2018). *J Inflamm Res*. [DOI: 10.2147/JIR.S136742](https://doi.org/10.2147/JIR.S136742)
5. Dai Q, Deng X, and Shu X. Modifying effect of calcium/magnesium intake ratio and mortality: a population-based cohort study (2013). *BMJ Open*. [DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2012-002111](https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2012-002111)
6. Abbasi B, Hedayati M, Kimiagar M, Rashidkhani B, Sadeghniiat K, and Shirazi MM. The effect of magnesium supplementation on primary insomnia in elderly: A double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial (2012). *J Res Med Sci*. [View Source](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3703169/)
7. Abraham GE, Lubran MM, and Schwartz UD. Effect of vitamin B-6 on plasma and red blood cell magnesium levels in premenopausal women (1981). *Ann Clin Lab Sci*. [View Source](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7271227/)
8. Huang C. L. and Kuo E.. Mechanism of hypokalemia in magnesium deficiency (2007). *Journal of the American Society of Nephrology*. [DOI: 10.1681/ASN.2007070792](https://doi.org/10.1681/ASN.2007070792)
9. Fu Y, He R, Li B, Li F, Lu Z, Rong S, and Zhang Y. Relationship between Whole-Blood Magnesium and Cognitive Performance among Chinese Adults (2023). *Nutrients*. [DOI: 10.3390/nu15122706](https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15122706)
10. Crocker A, Kennedy AG, Littenberg B, Rose GL, and Tarleton EK. The Association between Serum Magnesium Levels and Depression in an Adult Primary Care Population (2019). *Nutrients*. [DOI: 10.3390/nu11071475](https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11071475)
11. Bandinelli S, Barbagallo M, Bos A, Corsi AM, Dominguez LJ, Ferrucci L, Lauretani F, and Simonsick EM. Magnesium and muscle performance in older persons: the InCHIANTI study (2006). *Am J Clin Nutr*. [DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/84.1.419](https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/84.1.419)
12. Pagana KD, Pagana TJ, and Pagana TN. Mosby’s Diagnostic & Laboratory Test Reference (2019). *Mosby’s Diagnostic & Laboratory Test Reference*.
13. Amani R, Arab A, Rafie N, and Shirani F. The Role of Magnesium in Sleep Health: a Systematic Review of Available Literature (2023). *Biol Trace Elem Res*. [DOI: 10.1007/s12011-022-03162-1](https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-022-03162-1)
14. Abou El Niaj H., Bertinato J., Lavergne C., and Plouffe L. J.. Small increases in dietary calcium above normal requirements exacerbate magnesium deficiency in rats fed a low magnesium diet (2014). *Magnesium Research*. [DOI: 10.1684/mrh.2014.0360](https://doi.org/10.1684/mrh.2014.0360)
15. Castiglioni S, Locatelli L, Maier JA, Mazur A, and Zocchi M. Magnesium and inflammation: Advances and perspectives (2021). *Semin Cell Dev Biol*. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2020.11.002](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semcdb.2020.11.002)
16. Cuciureanu MD and Vink R.. Magnesium and stress (2011). *Magnesium in the Central Nervous System*. [View Source](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507250/)
17. Burnham C.-A. D., Chiu R. W. K., Rifai N., Wittwer C., and Young I.. Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine (2023). *Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine*.
18. Hahn A and Schuchardt JP. Intestinal Absorption and Factors Influencing Bioavailability of Magnesium–An Update (2017). *Curr Nutr Food Sci*. [DOI: 10.2174/1573401313666170427162740](https://doi.org/10.2174/1573401313666170427162740)
19. Hoorn EJ, Ikram MK, Kieboom BCT, Licher S, Stricker BH, Wolters FJ, and Zietse R. Serum magnesium is associated with the risk of dementia (2017). *Neurology*. [DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000004517](https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000004517)
20. He K, Mao L, Wang R, Xun P, and Zhang Y. Can Magnesium Enhance Exercise Performance? (2017). *Nutrients*. [DOI: 10.3390/nu9090946](https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9090946)
21. Bindels René J.M., de Baaij Jeroen H.F., Gommers Lisanne M.M., and Hoenderop Joost G.J.. Hypomagnesemia in Type 2 Diabetes: A Vicious Circle? (2016). *Diabetes*. [DOI: 10.2337/db15-1028](https://doi.org/10.2337/db15-1028)
22. Chen C, Chen P, He K, Liu W, Wang R, Xun P, and Zhou T. The effect of magnesium supplementation on muscle fitness: a meta-analysis and systematic review (2017). *Magnes Res*. [DOI: 10.1684/mrh.2018.0430](https://doi.org/10.1684/mrh.2018.0430)
23. Huang Chao, Abumaria N, Govindarajan A, Li B, Liu G, Slutsky I, Tonegawa S, Wu LJ, Zhang L, Zhao MG, Zhao X, and Zhuo M. Enhancement of learning and memory by elevating brain magnesium (2010). *Neuron*. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2009.12.026](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2009.12.026)
24. Pham, Phuong-Thu T., Miller JC, Pham PC, Pham PM, and Pham SV. Hypomagnesemia in patients with type 2 diabetes (2007). *Clin J Am Soc Nephrol*. [DOI: 10.2215/CJN.02960906](https://doi.org/10.2215/CJN.02960906)
25. Ali S, Barker NC, Freeman C, Jabeen S, Maitra S, and Osiezagha K. Thiamine Deficiency and Delirium (2013). *Innov Clin Neurosci*. [View Source](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3659035/)
26. Magnesium Status and Stress: The Vicious Circle Concept Revisited (2020). *Nutrients*. [DOI: 10.3390/nu12123672](https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12123672)
27. Godber IM, Maguire D, and Peake RW. The effect of magnesium administration on erythrocyte transketolase activity in alcoholic patients treated with thiamine (2013). *Scott Med J*. [DOI: 10.1177/0036933013496944](https://doi.org/10.1177/0036933013496944)
28. Caballero-García A, Córdova A, Fernandez-Lázaro D, Mielgo-Ayuso J, and Roche E. Impact of Magnesium Supplementation in Muscle Damage of Professional Cyclists Competing in a Stage Race (2019). *Nutrients*. [DOI: 10.3390/nu11081927](https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11081927)

### ⚠️ Important Medical Information

This reference page is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Reference ranges vary between laboratories. Always review your lab results with a qualified healthcare provider.