Turnaround times
The quoted turnaround time is from sample receipt in the laboratory, to results authorisation in the Laboratory Information Management system. The times do not include transport of specimen to the laboratory or the administrative process to print and post/email reports. Service users must allow for transport and reporting time when ordering tests.
Clinical background:
Magnesium is measured in the diagnosis and monitoring of hyper or hypomagnesaemia. Magnesium is an essential co-factor in the formation of the substrates of many enzymes and an activator of many enzyme systems. It is important in oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis, cell replication, nucleotide metabolism and protein biosynthesis. Magnesium has an important role in membrane stabilisation, nerve conduction, ion transport and calcium channel activity. Magnesium is the second most prevalent intracellular cation; this fraction accounts for approximately 45% of the total body magnesium. Extracellular magnesium accounts for 1% of the total body magnesium content.
Specimen container paediatric:
Serum (SST or plain tube)
Specimen container adult:
Serum (SST or plain tube)
Minimum volume paediatric:
0.5 mL blood
Minimum volume adult:
1 mL blood
Sample stability:
Unseparated sample:
1 day
Separated:
at +15° to +25°C: 7 days
at +2° to +8°C: 7 days
at -20C: 1 year
Reference ranges :
0 – 4w: 0.60 – 1.00 mmol/L
4w and over: 0.70 – 1.00 mmol/L
Other info:
lithium heparin plasma sample also acceptable