A patient has a magnesium level of 1.0 mg/dL. This value is:

A patient has a magnesium level of 1.0 mg/dL. This value is:

• A. Below the normal range
• B. Within the normal range
• C. Above the normal range
• D. Significantly above the normal range

Answer: (A)

Magnesium stays within a fairly tight serum range; for most adults, the normal reference is about 1.7 to 2.2 mg/dL. A level of 1.0 mg/dL is below that range, indicating hypomagnesemia. Low magnesium can stem from poor intake, gastrointestinal losses, alcoholism, certain medications, or renal wasting, and it often accompanies abnormalities in potassium and calcium. Clinically, low magnesium can increase neuromuscular excitability—causing muscle cramps, tremors, seizures—and can predispose to cardiac arrhythmias. Management involves correcting the deficiency with magnesium replacement (oral for mild cases, IV for more significant or symptomatic cases) and addressing the underlying cause, while monitoring other electrolytes.

Magnesium stays within a fairly tight serum range; for most adults, the normal reference is about 1.7 to 2.2 mg/dL. A level of 1.0 mg/dL is below that range, indicating hypomagnesemia. Low magnesium can stem from poor intake, gastrointestinal losses, alcoholism, certain medications, or renal wasting, and it often accompanies abnormalities in potassium and calcium. Clinically, low magnesium can increase neuromuscular excitability—causing muscle cramps, tremors, seizures—and can predispose to cardiac arrhythmias. Management involves correcting the deficiency with magnesium replacement (oral for mild cases, IV for more significant or symptomatic cases) and addressing the underlying cause, while monitoring other electrolytes.