Red Blood Cell Magnesium (RBC Magnesium) Blood Test
Vitamins & Minerals
Experiencing muscle cramps, fatigue, or anxiety and want the most accurate assessment of your magnesium status and cellular mineral levels?
The Red Blood Cell Magnesium Blood Test measures magnesium stored inside red blood cells, giving a more accurate picture of long-term magnesium status than a standard blood test. Magnesium is vital for energy, muscle function, heart rhythm, and nerve health. Low levels may cause cramps, fatigue, or heart problems.
This test is only available at Healius and 4Cyte collection centres.
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Book your test
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View your lab results and receive a personalised review from the secure Bloody Good platform.
The Red Blood Cell Magnesium Blood Test measures magnesium stored inside red blood cells, giving a more accurate picture of long-term magnesium status than a standard blood test. Magnesium is vital for energy, muscle function, heart rhythm, and nerve health. Low levels may cause cramps, fatigue, or heart problems.
This test is only available at Healius and 4Cyte collection centres.
The RBC Magnesium test is like having a detective that can peek inside your cells to see what's really happening with your magnesium levels. While standard blood tests only check magnesium floating around in your bloodstream, this test looks directly inside your red blood cells where magnesium actually does its important work – think of it as checking your body's actual magnesium savings account rather than just the pocket change. This gives you a much more accurate picture of whether your cells have enough of this vital mineral to keep everything running smoothly.
Magnesium acts like your body's multi-tool, helping with over 300 different jobs including producing energy, keeping your muscles and nerves working properly, and maintaining steady blood sugar and blood pressure. When your cellular magnesium runs low, you might experience muscle cramps, fatigue, anxiety, sleep troubles, or even irregular heartbeats – but here's the tricky part: regular blood tests might still show "normal" levels because your body prioritizes keeping magnesium in your bloodstream, even if it means robbing your cells. The RBC Magnesium test catches this hidden deficiency, making it especially valuable if you're dealing with unexplained symptoms, have conditions like diabetes that increase magnesium needs, or want to make sure your magnesium supplements are actually reaching your cells where they're needed most.
You may benefit from the Red Blood Cell Magnesium (RBC Magnesium) Blood Test
Essential for individuals with muscle cramps, fatigue, suspected magnesium deficiency, or anyone needing accurate intracellular magnesium assessment.
Muscle cramps or spasms
Hand tremors at rest
Feeling anxious or worried most days
Trouble sleeping or insomnia
Heart palpitations or racing heart
Headaches with nausea or vomiting
How to prepare
No special preparation required. Inform healthcare provider of all magnesium supplements and medications that might affect magnesium levels. Consider timing relative to recent supplementation.
Understanding results
Results show RBC magnesium levels compared to optimal ranges. Low levels indicate cellular magnesium deficiency requiring supplementation, while optimal levels suggest adequate intracellular magnesium status.
After the test
Address low RBC magnesium through appropriate magnesium supplementation, dietary improvements, addressing underlying absorption issues, and regular monitoring to achieve optimal cellular levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
RBC magnesium better reflects tissue stores and functional magnesium status, as serum levels can appear normal even when cellular magnesium is deficient.
Signs include muscle cramps, fatigue, anxiety, sleep problems, irregular heartbeat, headaches, and poor stress tolerance, though deficiency can be subtle.
Causes include poor dietary intake, gastrointestinal disorders, diabetes, kidney disease, certain medications, chronic stress, and increased magnesium needs.
Daily requirements vary but generally range from 300-400mg for adults, with higher needs during pregnancy, illness, stress, or intense physical activity.
Good sources include leafy greens, nuts, seeds, whole grains, legumes, dark chocolate, and certain fish like mackerel and salmon.
Cellular magnesium repletion can take several months of consistent supplementation, which is why RBC testing is valuable for monitoring progress.
Reviewed by Dr. Vu Tran Bloody Good’s Chief Medical Officer
Bloody Good is a single portal for ordering, tracking, and reviewing on-demand health testing.
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