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Question about magnesium levels. Not worried, just confused. (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 year ago by FlyingSquid@lemmy.world to c/health@lemmy.world

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I had a blood panel yesterday, and it said that my blood magnesium level is 2.4 milligrams per deciliter, which the health portal called high. I looked up magnesium levels and what I'm seeing is that normal is between 1.7 and 2.3 and possible hypermagnesemia is 2.6.

That leaves a gap of 2.4 and 2.5 which seems to be not normal but also not what happens when it isn't normal and I'm not seeing what that is supposed to mean.

I seriously doubt I have hypermagnesemia because I don't appear to fit the symptoms and, of course, I'm going to listen to whatever my doctor says next time I see him, but I'd love an explanation for why 2.4 and 2.5 aren't normal but apparently also aren't indicative of something.

Also- they did not have me fast before I took the panel. Would that have an effect on detectable magnesium levels?

Like I said, I'm going to listen to whatever my doctor says, I'm just curious because this confuses me.

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[–] Chetzemoka@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

For the record, the reason those ranges are different is actually a regulatory thing and not arbitrary. Labs are required to base their normal ranges on some kind of statistical sampling of their own lab results so that their normal ranges more accurately reflect the population of people who tend to use that particular lab and the particular equipment in use at that lab.

Not important information really, just something I found fascinating when I learned it.

https://www.everlywell.com/blog/news-and-info/variability-in-lab-testing/#:~:text=Each%20lab%20must%20define%20its,vary%20from%20lab%20to%20lab.