Magnesium: What Your Blood Level Does and Does Not Tell You
Serum magnesium is the standard test, but it reflects only about 1% of your body’s magnesium. Learn what your result means, typical ranges, and dietary sources.
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What it is
Magnesium is a mineral involved in hundreds of enzyme reactions, including energy production, muscle relaxation, nerve signaling, and blood pressure regulation.
Roughly 99% of body magnesium sits inside bone and cells. The serum test measures the remaining 1%, which the body defends tightly, so a normal result does not rule out low stores.
Why it matters
Low magnesium can contribute to muscle cramps, palpitations, poor sleep, migraine, and low potassium or calcium that will not correct until magnesium is replaced.
High magnesium is uncommon and usually reflects reduced kidney clearance or heavy supplement or antacid use.
Typical reference ranges
Ranges vary by lab and individual circumstances. These are common adult reference ranges for orientation only.
| Group | Common range |
|---|---|
| Low | < 1.7 mg/dL |
| Normal | 1.7–2.2 mg/dL |
| Optimal-leaning | 2.0–2.2 mg/dLSome clinicians prefer the upper half |
| High | > 2.2 mg/dLCheck kidney function and supplement use |
Not sure where your magnesium falls? Upload your lab report and Nodava marks it against the range for you.
See where you fallWhere it comes from
Pumpkin seeds, almonds, cashews, spinach and other leafy greens, black beans, dark chocolate, and whole grains are the richest food sources. Refining grains removes most of the magnesium.
What can move your result
Proton pump inhibitors, diuretics, alcohol, poorly controlled diabetes, chronic diarrhea, and malabsorption all deplete magnesium; kidney disease raises it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I be deficient with a normal serum magnesium?
Which magnesium supplement is best absorbed?
Does magnesium help sleep?
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Magnesium is just one piece of the puzzle. Nodava explains every biomarker on your report, highlights what is out of range, and helps you track changes over time.
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