Magnesium is essential for strong bones and muscles, good heart health, and energy production.
Despite how important this mineral is, it can be easy to miss the signs of magnesium deficiency. With Magnesium Advocacy Group lab tests, you can catch symptoms and get the necessary treatment sooner.
Here's a guide on Magnesium Advocacy Group lab tests and panels, what they test for, and how they can benefit you.
What Are Magnesium Advocacy Group Lab Tests and Lab Panels?
Magnesium Advocacy Group lab tests and panels evaluate your body's magnesium levels and many other vital vitamins and minerals through blood draws.
The Magnesium Advocacy Group recommended lab tests are individual tests that measure the levels of specific vitamins and minerals. Lab panels are groupings of related tests.
Iron Panel, Transferrin, and Hemoglobin
Iron panels are typically used when a person displays symptoms of having iron deficiency or overload. They measure iron levels and related biomarkers, including:
- Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC)
- Ferritin
- Transferrin
- Hemoglobin (Hgb)
The average processing time is 1-2 days. Patients should fast for at least 9 hours prior to having their blood drawn.
Magnesium RBC, Zinc, and Copper Panel
This panel tests for Magnesium RBC and other related biomarkers, including:
- Zinc
- Copper
- Ceruloplasmin
The average processing time for this panel is 2-4 business days.
Magnesium RBC, Zinc, Copper with Iron Panel
The tests included in this panel are:
- Magnesium RBC
- Copper
- Zinc
- Ceruloplasmin
- Iron and Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC)
- Ferritin
- Transferrin
- Hemoglobin
The average processing time for this panel is 2-5 days. Patients should fast for at least 9 hours prior to having their blood drawn.
Vit A&D, Mag RBC, Zinc, Iron & Ferritin
This panel is also referred to as the Full Monty Iron Panel with Vitamin A and D. The tests included in this panel are:
- Ceruloplasmin
- Copper
- Ferritin
- Hemoglobin
- Iron and Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC)
- Magnesium RBC
- Transferrin
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin D
- Zinc
The average processing time is 4-7 days. Patients should fast for at least 9 hours prior to having their blood drawn.
Vitamin D (1-25, D2, D3), Mag RBC & Calcium
The tests included in this panel are:
- Magnesium RBC
- Vitamin D, 1, 25-Dihydroxy
- Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy
- Calcium, Ionized
The average processing time is 5-7 business days.
Vitamin D (1-25,D2,D3), Potassium RBC & Ca
The tests included in this panel are:
- Potassium RBC
- Magnesium RBC
- Ionized Calcium
- Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy
- Vitamin D, 1, 25-Dihydroxy
The average processing time for a Potassium Vitamin D Panel is 5-7 business days.
Vitamin D, Magnesium RBC, Zinc, Copper & Ca
The tests included in this panel are:
- Magnesium RBC
- Zinc
- Ceruloplasmin
- Copper
- Ionized Calcium
- Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy
- Vitamin D, 1, 25-Dihydroxy
The average processing time is 5-7 business days.
Calcium, Ionized
The Calcium, Ionized test measures how much unbound calcium is in a person's blood.
Unbound calcium is typically measured when the balance between free and bound calcium is disrupted, which can occur with:
- Extremely low albumin levels
- Major surgeries
- Blood transfusions
- Critical illnesses
Those with low ionized calcium may experience muscle spasms or numbness around the mouth or in their hands and feet.
The average processing time is 1-2 business days, and it has no fasting requirements.
Ceruloplasmin and Copper
Ceruloplasmin is a protein containing copper, an essential mineral for a variety of bodily functions.
Ceruloplasmin and copper blood tests help diagnose diseases that cause abnormal levels of copper in the body, including Wilson's Disease, Celiac Disease, and Cystic Fibrosis.
The average processing time for a Ceruloplasmin blood test is 4-5 days. It has no fasting requirements and is often accompanied by a copper blood test, which has an average processing time of 2-4 days.
Complete Blood Count and Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin (Hgb) and Complete Blood Count (CBC) are part of routine general health blood work.
Hgb is a protein that carries oxygen throughout the body.
Low Hgb levels can indicate anemia, nutritional deficiencies, bone marrow disorders, or kidney damage. High Hgb levels may indicate dehydration, lung disease, heart disease, or kidney tumors.
The average processing time for Hgb and CBC blood tests is typically 1 day.
Iron and Total Iron Binding Capacity
Total Iron Binding Capacity is a blood test that measures the amount of iron you have in your blood and how well the protein transferrin carries the iron in your blood.
The average processing time for a TIBC test is 1-2 days.
Iron helps muscles store and use oxygen, and too little iron can lead to iron-deficiency anemia. Low iron levels may occur from blood loss, poor diet, or inefficient absorption of iron from food.
Ferritin
Ferritin is a protein that stores iron inside the body's cells. By measuring ferritin, doctors can indirectly measure the amount of iron in your blood.
Ferritin blood tests are often ordered after a person receives abnormal CBC results and may be accompanied by an Iron and TIBC Test to check for iron deficiency or overload.
The average processing time of a Ferritin blood test is typically 1 day.
Magnesium, RBC
Magnesium is essential for almost all of the body's chemical processes, including the maintenance of the body's:
- Muscle and nerve function
- Bone strength
- Heart function
- Blood pressure
- Blood sugar levels
- Immune system
Magnesium deficiencies may occur in cases of malnutrition and malabsorption. Magnesium excess may occur from ingesting antacids containing magnesium or when the kidneys excrete magnesium ineffectively.
The average processing time for a Magnesium RBC lab test is 4-5 days.
Potassium, RBC
Potassium is an electrolyte that is important for body and muscle function. Abnormal potassium levels may indicate kidney disease, diabetes, or thyroid disorder, among other conditions.
The average processing time is 5 to 7 days.
Transferrin
Transferrin is a protein that helps carry iron to various parts of the body. It directly measures iron-binding capacity. This makes it useful in the assessment of iron balance, deficiency, and overload.
The typical processing time is 1-3 days, and it is necessary to fast 8-12 hours before blood sample collection.
Vitamin A (Retinol)
Vitamin A is essential for:
- Healthy skin
- Healthy eyes and vision
- Bone growth
- Immune function
- Embryonic development
Vitamin A deficiency may occur if a person does not eat enough meat, fruits, and vegetables. Disorders associated with malnutrition or malabsorption can also cause it.
Symptoms of Vitamin A deficiency include:
- Night blindness
- Dry eyes, skin, or hair
- Skin lesions
- Anemia
- Gray spots on the eye's lining
- Repeated infections
Retinol tests also check for Vitamin A toxicity. This typically occurs because of supplement overuse or a diet that consists largely of Vitamin A rich foods.
The average processing time for a Vitamin A (retinol) lab test is 3-7 business days. It is necessary to fast for 12 hours before having your sample collected.
Vitamin D, 1, 25-Dihydroxy
Vitamin D, 1, 25-Dihydroxy is typically ordered to test for an excess of Vitamin D. This can occur with conditions such as parathyroid disorder and kidney failure.
The average processing time is 5-7 business days.
Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy
Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy is necessary for teeth and bones to have proper growth and health. It also helps the immune system and bodily tissues develop healthily.
A Vitamin D lab test is usually ordered to test for symptoms of vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency is usually caused by insufficient sun exposure or conditions like Cystic Fibrosis and Crohn's Disease. Symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency include:
- Tiredness
- Weakness
- Aches and pains
- Frequent infections
The typical processing time is 1-3 days, and it has no fasting requirements.
Zinc
Zinc is essential for a strong immune system, normal growth and cell reproduction, and healing from injuries.
Zinc deficiency occurs from a lack of dietary intake or an excess of certain minerals, which prevent the body from effectively absorbing zinc. It may also occur with conditions such as Crohn's Disease and Sickle Cell Anemia.
Symptoms include:
- Recurring infections
- Decreased speed of healing
- Severe diarrhea
- Thinning hair
- Recurring skin rashes or acne
- Decreased ability to taste or smell
The typical processing time is 3-5 days, and there are no fasting requirements.
Benefits of Magnesium Advocacy Group Recommended Lab Tests and Lab Panels
Magnesium is essential for energy production, nerve and muscle function, and maintaining strong bones.
Persistent or severe magnesium deficiency or excess can lead to:
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- Muscle cramps
- Seizures
- Heart Rate changes
- Numbness or tingling
- An affected calcium metabolism
- Exacerbated calcium deficiencies
With Magnesium Advocacy Group lab tests and panels, you can potentially catch these health issues and get the appropriate treatments before they get any worse.
Magnesium Advocacy Group FAQ
Here are some common questions about Magnesium Advocacy Group lab tests.
When Are Magnesium Lab Tests Ordered?
Magnesium Advocacy Group lab tests are used to measure magnesium levels. Abnormal magnesium levels may indicate conditions that impair intestinal magnesium absorption or cause the kidneys to excrete abnormal amounts of magnesium.
Magnesium lab tests are ordered to:
- Evaluate the severity of kidney problems and uncontrolled diabetes
- Evaluate diarrhea
- Evaluate alcoholism
- Help diagnose gastrointestinal disorders and certain hormone conditions
- Monitor the effectiveness of a treatment
- Check for malabsorption or malnutrition
When to Get Tested?
Lab tests are recommended if you are experiencing symptoms associated with abnormal levels of magnesium, including:
- Muscle weakness
- Irritability
- Twitching
- Cramping
- Confusion
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Seizures
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
Magnesium Advocacy Group tests are also recommended if you have abnormal calcium or potassium levels or when you have been prescribed magnesium for treatment purposes.
Benefits of Magnesium Advocacy Group Recommended Lab Testing with Ulta Lab Tests
Ulta Lab Tests offers highly accurate and reliable tests so that you can make informed decisions about your health. Here are a few great things to love about Ulta Lab Tests:
- You'll get secure and confidential results.
- You don't need health insurance.
- You don't need a physician's referral.
- You'll get affordable pricing.
- We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Order your Magnesium Advocacy Group lab tests today, and your results will be provided to you online in 24 to 48 hours for most tests.
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MAG - Iron Panel, Transferrin and Hemoglobin
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MAG - Magnesium RBC, Zinc, and Copper Panel
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MAG - Magnesium RBC, Zinc, Copper with Iron Panel
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MAG - Vit A&D, Mag RBC, Zinc, Iron & Ferritin
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MAG - Vitamin D (1-25, D2, D3), Mag RBC, & Calcium
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MAG - Vitamin D (1-25,D2,D3), Potassium RBC & Ca
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MAG - Vitamin D, Magnesium RBC, Zinc, Copper & Ca
Take control with Ulta Lab Tests today!
