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Recommendations when to order or not order the test. May include related or preferred tests.
May be useful in the assessment of tissue stores. For routine assessment of magnesium deficiency, Magnesium, Plasma or Serum (0020039) is preferred.
New York DOH Approval Status
Indicates whether a test has been approved by the New York State Department of Health.
This test is New York state approved.
Specimen Required
Patient PreparationInstructions patient must follow before/during specimen collection.
CollectSpecimen type to collect. May include collection media, tubes, kits, etc.
Royal blue (K2EDTA) or Royal blue (NaHep).
Specimen PreparationInstructions for specimen prep before/after collection and prior to transport.
Centrifuge whole blood and separate RBCs from plasma within 2 hours of collection. Submit packed RBCs in original tube OR transfer 2 mL RBCs to an ARUP Trace Element-Free Transport Tube (ARUP supply #43116) available online through eSupply using ARUP Connect™ or contact ARUP Client Services at (800) 522-2787. (Min: 0.6 mL)
Storage/Transport TemperaturePreferred temperatures for storage prior to and during shipping to ARUP. See Stability for additional info.
Room temperature. Also acceptable: Refrigerated.
Unacceptable ConditionsCommon conditions under which a specimen will be rejected.
Specimens collected in tubes other than royal blue (K2EDTA) or royal blue (NaHep). Specimens transported in containers other than royal blue (K2EDTA) or royal blue (NaHep) tube or trace element-free transport tube. Clotted or grossly hemolyzed specimens.
RemarksAdditional specimen collection, transport, or test submission information.
StabilityAcceptable times/temperatures for specimens. Times include storage and transport time to ARUP.
After separation from plasma: Ambient: 2 weeks; Refrigerated: 2 weeks; Frozen: Unacceptable
Expected turnaround time for a result, beginning when ARUP has received the specimen.
1-4 days
Reference Interval
Normal range/expected value(s) for a specific disease state. May also include abnormal ranges.
3.6-7.5 mg/dL
Interpretive Data
May include disease information, patient result explanation, recommendations, or details of testing.
RBC magnesium results reflect the intracellular stores and general homeostasis of magnesium. Results may be falsely low if RBCs in the submitted specimen are lysed or not promptly separated from plasma.
RBC magnesium concentration is reported as milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). To convert concentration to millimoles per liter (mmol/L), divide the result by 2.43.
Compliance Category
Laboratory Developed Test (LDT)
Note
Additional information related to the test.
Hotline History
N/A
CPT Codes
The American Medical Association Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes published in ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory are provided for informational purposes only. The codes reflect our interpretation of CPT coding requirements based upon AMA guidelines published annually. CPT codes are provided only as guidance to assist clients with billing. ARUP strongly recommends that clients confirm CPT codes with their Medicare administrative contractor, as requirements may differ. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. ARUP Laboratories assumes no responsibility for billing errors due to reliance on the CPT codes published.
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.