Magnesium, Urine
Magnesium, Urine
    
Number
003400
CPT
83735
Related Information
  • Magnesium, RBC
  • Urine Testing: Preservative Quick Reference Chart
  • Synonyms
    Mg, Urine
    Special Instructions
    The request form must state 24-hour collection volume.
    Specimen
    Urine (24-hour)
    Volume
    5 mL
    Minimum Volume
    2.2 mL
    Container
    Plastic urine container with 10 mL 6N HCl
    Collection
    Instruct the patient to void at 8 AM and discard the specimen. Then collect all urine including the final specimen voided at the end of the 24-hour collection period (ie, 8 AM the next morning). Screw the lid on securely. Transport the specimen promptly to the laboratory. Container must be labeled with patient's full name, room number, date and time collection started, and date and time collection finished.
    Storage Instructions
    After collection, pH is adjusted to 1.5-2.0 with 6N HCl. Refrigerate (KBS tablet is acceptable).
    Causes for Rejection
    No preservative in the collection container; presence of blood in the urine; pH not ≤4; improper labeling
    Reference Interval
    Environmental exposure: 12.0-293.0 mg/24 hours
    Use
    Magnesium excretion controls magnesium balance.1 Magnesium urinary excretion is enhanced by increasing blood alcohol levels, diuretics, Bartter syndrome, corticosteroids, cis-platinum therapy and aldosterone. Renal magnesium wasting occurs in renal transplant recipients who are on cyclosporine and prednisone.2 Renal conservation of magnesium is diminished by hypercalciuria, salt-losing conditions, and the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone.1 Magnesium deficiency is often inadequately documented by serum magnesium levels. Urinary magnesium analyses have been advocated before and after therapeutic magnesium administration to further investigate the significance of an apparent low serum magnesium.3
    Methodology
    Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) or colorimetric
    Additional Information
    Hypercalcemia, hypophosphatemia and acidosis are among inhibitors of tubular reabsorption of magnesium.2
    FootnotesFootnotes - Updated February 23 2007
        1. Alfrey AC. “Disorders of Magnesium Metabolism,” Renal and Electrolyte Disorders, 2nd ed, Schrier RW, ed, Boston, MA: Little, Brown and Co, 1980; 299-319.
        2. Barton CH, Vaziri ND, Martin DC. et al. "Hypomagnesemia and Renal Magnesium Wasting in Renal Transplant Recipients Receiving Cyclosporine,” Am J Med, 1987; 83(4):693-699.
        3. Chernow B, Bamberger S, Stoiko M. et al. “Hypomagnesemia in Patients in Postoperative Intensive Care,” Chest, 1989; 95(2):391-397

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