Magnesium excretion controls magnesium balance. 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. Renal conservation of magnesium is diminished by hypercalciuria, salt-losing conditions, and the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone. 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.
Ambient (preferred) - 14 days
Refrigerated - 14 days
Frozen - 14 days
Freeze/thaw cycles - Stable x3
Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) or colorimetric
Environmental exposure: 12.0 − 293.0 mg/24 hours