Test Code MG Magnesium
Specimen and Container/Tube
Specimen Type: Plasma
Preferred Specimen: Li-Heparin Mint Green Top
Other Acceptable specimens: Serum/Gold Top, Serum/Red Top
Specimen Stability
Storage Temperature |
Stability |
Room Temperature |
7 days |
Refrigerated |
7 days |
Frozen |
1 year |
Collection Instructions
Collect specimen per standard laboratory collection procedures.
Specimen Handling and Transport Instructions
UCMC Onsite Instructions:
- Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately.
UCMC Offsite and UC MedLab Outreach Instructions:
- Samples should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.
- Centrifuge specimens at >2500 x g for 10 minutes at room temperature.
- Aliquot sample into plastic transport tube containing a minimum of 0.2 mL of specimen.
- Samples must be sent room temperature at 20-25oC.
Rejection Criteria
- Common specimen rejected situations include: incorrect specimen type, insufficient volume, missing or incomplete specimen identifiers, incorrect specimen transport, or specimens outside stability limits.
- Specimens that are clotted or grossly hemolyzed.
- Specimens that were transported unspun/whole blood and draw time is greater than 6 hours
Reference Values
Test |
Age |
Sex |
Reference Range |
Magnesium |
All |
All |
1.6 - 2.5 mg/dL |
Critical Values
Analyte |
Unit |
Low |
High |
Age |
Magnesium |
mg/dL |
< 1.0 |
> 8.0 |
N/A |
Turnaround Time
Turnaround times are relative to the time the specimen is received in the test laboratory.
STAT Turnaround Time: 1 hour
Routine Turnaround Time: up to 4 hours
Testing Schedule: 24/7
Clinical Indications
This assay is used for diagnosing and monitoring hypomagnesemia (magnesium deficiency) and hypermagnesemia (magnesium excess).
Test Components
Magnesium
Methodology
Colormetric endpoint method (Roche Diagnostics)
CPT Codes
83735
LOINC Codes
19123-9
Synonyms/Keyword Search
N/A
Additional Information
- Results should always be assessed in conjunction with patient's medical history, clinical examination and other findings.
Last Review Date
3/19/25
Volume
Preferred Volume: 0.5 mL
Minimum Volume: 0.2 mL