Magnesium

Magnesium measurements are clinically important. Magnesium, along with potassium, is the most abundant intracellular cation. Magnesium is a required coenzyme in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. Decreased magnesium concentrations, hypomagnesia, may cause tremors, muscle irritability, increased blood pressure and heart rate. Elevated magnesium concentrations, hypermagnesia, may lead to impaired respiration, coma, and cardiac arrest if left uncorrected.