MAGNESIUM, SERUM

Mnemonic

MG

Synonym

Mg - Mg++

Specimen Collection Requirements

Collect

Serum or Plasma, one 5.0 mL gold (SST) or 3.0 mL mint green (lithium heparin, PST) top tube

Handling

Allow serum to clot completely at room temperature (minimum: 30 minutes). Preferably, separate serum or plasma from cells before transport.

Preferred Volume

0.5 mL

Minimum Volume

0.2 mL

Transport

Refrigerated (2-8°C)

Rejection Criteria

Grossly hemolyzed specimens, avoid using anticoagulants that bind magnesium such as EDTA, Oxalate and Citrate

Stability

Specimens collected using lithium heparin tubes (PST) are stable up to 7 days refrigerated (2-8°C) on the primary spun gel tube. AFTER SEPARATION FROM CELLS: Ambient (15-25°C): 24 hours; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 7 days; Frozen (at or below -20°C): 1 month

Testing Information

Performed

7 days/week

Method

Colorimetry

Referral Lab

Samaritan Health Services Laboratories

Reference Values

Reference Values

ADULTS: 1.7-2.6 mg/dL
Age adjusted ranges.

Critical Values

Low: <1.2 mg/dL
High: >5.9 mg/dL

CPT Codes

83735

Last Updated: Thursday, January 5, 2017 03:42:20 AM