Cardiovascular Disease - Bloody Good
Vitamins & Minerals

Red Blood Cell Magnesium (RBC Magnesium)

The Red Blood Cell Magnesium 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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Red Blood Cell Magnesium (RBC Magnesium)

Experiencing muscle cramps, fatigue, or anxiety and want the most accurate assessment of your magnesium status and cellular mineral levels?

Overview

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.

Reviewed by Dr. Vu Tran
Bloody Good’s Chief Medical Officer

Symptoms

You may benefit from this test if you experience:
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

Purpose

Essential for individuals with muscle cramps, fatigue, suspected magnesium deficiency, or anyone needing accurate intracellular magnesium assessment.

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.
Red Blood Cell Magnesium (RBC Magnesium)

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How it works

What to expect

We want you to feel bloody good—inside and out. Regular testing isn’t just about checking your current health; it helps you spot abnormal values you might not know about.

1

Book your referral

Choose the testing that suits your goals. After ordering, you will receive your referral by email.

2

Collect your sample

Easy sample collection at one of our 4000+ partner collection centres throughout Australia. Find nearest

3
Receive your results

Receive your results

View your lab results and receive a personalised review from the secure Bloody Good platform.

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