Magnesium urine test

This test measures the Magnesium level in urine. Magnesium from urine says something about the absorption of magnesium in the body.

Magnesium is an essential element like calcium and is therefore present in the bones (66% magnesium the body in the bones). Like extremely low calcium, extremely low magnesium can cause cramps and spasms of the muscles.

The most common reason for low urinary magnesium is low magnesium in the diet. Low magnesium levels can increase the risk of kidney stones.
Less common causes of low magnesium are;

• celiac disease
• malabsorption
• pancreatic insufficiency
• vitamin D deficiency
• hypothyroidism

The first signs of magnesium deficiency are;

• loss of appetite
• nausea
• vomiting
• migraine
• fatigue and weakness

If magnesium deficiency worsens, symptoms such as;

• numbness
• tingling
• muscle contractions and cramps
• seizures
• changes in personality
• fear
• depression
• ADHD
• abnormal heart rhythms and coronary spasms

Low urinary magnesium is also associated with an increased risk of heart attack.

High magnesium in urine

The most common reason for high urinary magnesium is high magnesium in the diet. Less common causes of high urinary magnesium are alcoholism, the use of urinary pills. In primary hyperaldosteronism, too much of the hormone aldosterone is made in the adrenal glands. The hormone aldosterone affects the water and salt balance in the body, overactive thyroid, too much vitamin D , overdose of the antibiotic Gentamicin and poisoning with the cancer-fighting agent cisplatin.

Increased urinary magnesium excretion may occur in people with insulin resistance and/or type 2 diabetes. Symptoms of magnesium marked risk may include diarrhea, hypotension, nausea, vomiting, flushing, retention of urine, ileus, depression, lethargy before going to muscle weakness, breathing problems, extreme hypotension, irregular heartbeat and cardiac arrest.

With kidney problems or abnormal kidney function, the measurement of Magnesium from urine may become unreliable, then it is better to measure Magnesium Intracellular from blood.