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NUTRIENTS & INFLAMMATION
Also printed as: Mg · Serum magnesium
Educational only — not medical advice.
Magnesium is a mineral involved in hundreds of reactions, including muscle and nerve function, blood sugar handling, and bone structure. Only about one percent of your body's magnesium is in the blood, with the rest in bone and cells. That means the serum level is a rough gauge rather than a complete picture.
Serum magnesium can look normal while body stores are lower, so clinicians read it in context — particularly alongside potassium and calcium, which it influences.
TYPICAL ADULT RANGE
Many labs report roughly 1.7–2.2 mg/dL for adults. Ranges vary by lab. Reported in mg/dL.
Reference ranges vary by lab, by method, and by age and sex. Always read your own result against the range printed on your report.
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A low magnesium commonly follows diuretic use, proton pump inhibitors taken long-term, alcohol intake, digestive losses from diarrhea, and diets light on nuts, greens, and whole grains. It often travels with a low potassium or low calcium, and correcting one without the other tends not to hold — which is a good reason to let your doctor look at all three together rather than reaching for a supplement on your own.
High magnesium is uncommon in people with normal kidney function, because the kidneys clear it efficiently. When it does occur, magnesium-containing antacids and laxatives are usually involved, especially alongside reduced kidney clearance. It is worth mentioning any over-the-counter products you use, since they are easy to forget. Your doctor will read it next to your kidney markers.
Your doctor is the one who can read this number against your history, symptoms, and medications.
Educational only — not medical advice. Lab results only mean something alongside your history, symptoms, medications, and the rest of your panel. Bring questions to your doctor; they are the one who can interpret your results for you.
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