Magnesium, RBC

Optimal Result: 4.2 - 6.8 mg/dL, or 1.73 - 2.79 mmol/L.

Magnesium is a critical element because hundreds of enzymatic reactions in the body depend on it. Muscles need magnesium for the process of contraction and relaxation. The heart needs this element to have a steady beat. The immune system needs it to eliminate inflammation. The blood vessels need magnesium so they can adequately expand and contract, thus controlling blood pressure. 

Magnesium is just as important as zinc and chromium for proper blood sugar regulation. It makes insulin work better in the body. New research reports state that even the process of energy production (getting energy from fats and carbohydrates) and the synthesis of proteins are dependent on magnesium.

The RBC magnesium test is very similar to the serum test, but it measures the amount of magnesium in red blood cells rather than the magnesium in the blood serum. The RBC test is viewed as more accurate than the serum test because when you are deficient in magnesium, your body takes it from cells instead, therefore, making it highly detectable through an RBC. The RBC may indicate that these red blood cells are missing a healthy level of magnesium, meaning you may have a magnesium deficiency. 

Dietary sources of magnesium include dark green leafy vegetables, lentils, beans, grains (unprocessed), and nuts.

Normal Ranges for Magnesium in mg/dL:

4.0-6.4 mg/dL  

Sources: 

Am J Clin Nutr. 1987;45:1305-12.

Clinica Chimica Acta. 2000;294:1-26.

http://www.questdiagnostics.com/testcenter/BUOrderInfo.action?tc=10551&labCode=AMD 

https://www.functionalmedicineuniversity.com/public/882.cfm 

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/minerals/magnesium 

What does it mean if your Magnesium, RBC result is too low?

Magnesium is a mineral that plays an important role in many biochemical reactions including your heartbeat, nerve and muscle function, bone development, energy production, glucose and blood pressure regulation and protein synthesis.

Low RBC (=red blood cell) magnesium shows a deficiency of magnesium.

This is related to various signs and symptoms that may include the following:

- Muscle cramps/spasms/tremors

- Fatigue / Nausea

- Decreased reflexes

- Inexplicably low calcium levels / Problems absorbing calcium

- Loss of appetite

- Seizures

- Diarrhea

- High blood pressure

- Heart damage or arrythmias

- Kidney damage or disease

- Migraine headaches

- Asthma

- Neuromuscular disorders

- Irritability and agitation

Those who have kidney disease, GI disease, or have been diagnosed with chronic alcoholism are more likely to have low magnesium levels.

Major dietary magnesium sources include:

- Leafy green vegetables like spinach
- Squash
- Pumpkin seeds
- Nuts and seeds
- Legumes
- Whole grains

What does it mean if your Magnesium, RBC result is too high?

High levels of hemoglobin are associated with increased blood thickness. This can slow down the blood flow and oxygen transport and in some cases form blood clots which increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. 

Some specific causes of high magnesium might include: 

- Taking calcium supplements without magnesium

- Use of too many antacids. 

- Use of too many laxatives

- Muscle tone decreases

- Depression of the central nervous system

- Heart attack

10 000+ happy customers
100% satisfaction
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ customer support

Understand blood, stool, and urine medical results from all your laboratories.

Upload Your Personal Results

Upload Personal Results

For professional account plans go here

for professional account plans go here

Monthly plan

Annual plan

Own it for life

  • Subscription
  • Data entry service included

    Data entry service

    Our exclusive data entry service is a convenient way to get your results into your private dashboard. Simply attach an image or a file of your lab test results, and one of our qualified data entry team members will add the results for you. We support all sorts of files, whether PDFs, JPGs, or Excel. This service is excellent whether you have a lot of reports to upload or are too busy to do the data entry yourself.

  • Instant interpretation
  • Use free data entry form

    Free data entry form

    We strive to make the data entry process easy for you. Whether by offering dozens of templates to choose from that pre-populate the most popular laboratory panels or by giving you instant feedback on the entered values. Our data entry forms are an easy, fast, and convenient way to enter the reports yourself. There is no limit on how many lab reports you can upload.

  • 4000+ biomarkers explained
  • Nutrition recommendations
  • Cancel anytime

Complete

$15 /month

billed every month

  • monthly
  • $15 per report
  • ✓ Instant interpretations
  • ✓ 4000+ biomarkers explained
  • ✓ Nutrition recommendations
  • ✓ Free data entry form
  • ✓ Unlimited data
  • ✓ $15 data entry service
  • ✓ Cancel anytime

Most popular

Data entry included

Advanced

$79 /year

$6.60/month billed annually

  • yearly
  • 5 reports free
  • ✓ Instant interpretations
  • ✓ 4000+ biomarkers explained
  • ✓ Nutrition recommendations
  • ✓ We enter 5 reports for you
  • ✓ Yearly subscription
  • ✓ Cancel anytime

Data entry included

Unlimited

$250 /once

own it for life

  • pay once
  • 10 reports free
  • ✓ Instant interpretations
  • ✓ 4000+ biomarkers explained
  • ✓ Nutrition recommendations
  • ✓ We enter 10 reports for you
  • ✓ No subscription
  • ✓ Dedicated support
  • ✓ Unlimited access

Are You a Health Professional?

Get started with our professional plan

Welcome to Healthmatters Pro.

Save time on interpreting lab results with the largest database of biomarkers online. In-depth research on any test at your fingertips, all stored and tracked in one place. Learn more

Pro Monthly Plus

for health professionals

  • ✓ Track multiple clients results
  • ✓ No setup fees
  • ✓ No hidden costs
  • ✓ Instant interpretations
  • ✓ 4000+ biomarkers explained
  • ✓ Includes data entry service
  • ✓ Personal training and support
  • ✓ Cancel anytime

$75 per month

Use promo code to save 10% off any plan.


We implement proven measures to keep your data safe.

At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.