Laboratory Medicine
Test Directory / Urine Magnesium
Urine Magnesium
Acidified 24 hour urine container
| Test | Urine Magnesium |
|---|---|
| Common Abbreviations | UMAG |
| Profile | NA |
| Tube type | Acidified 24 hour urine container |
| Clinical Indication | Measurement can be useful in the diagnosis and investigation of magnesium deficiency. Low urine magnesium levels may result from decreased renal excretion e.g. dehydration or reduced magnesium intake e.g. malnutrition/ malabsorption. Increased urine magnesium may be seen in hyperaldosteronis, drug therapy (e.g. cisplatin), osmotic diuresis and chronic glomerulonephritis. The detection of significant urine magnesium in the presence of a low serum magnesium suggests renal loss as the cause of hypomagnesaaemia. |
| Specimen Type | Urine |
| Sample type | Acidified 24 hour urine |
| Minimum Volume | NA |
| Special Precautions | No special requirements |
| Stability | Acidified urine: 3 days at 4-8°C and 1 year at -20°C |
| Turnaround Time | Inpatient: 6 hours Outpatient/ GP: 24 hours |
| Laboratory | York and Scarborough |
| Reference Interval | 2.4 - 6.5 mmol/24hours (Recommended by the Pathology Harmonisation Reference Group) |
| Limitations | Urine studies show less than 10% interference for up to 10 mmol/L of urine calcium |
| Notes |
