Lab/Hospital for RBC test (magnesium)

[jitowix]

I would like to have my magnesium levels tested. I have contacted Mc Cormick, RAM Hospital, Mtlab, Lanna Lab and Sriphat. However for magnesium they all do serum test instead of RBC (Red blood cells = เม็ดเลือดแดง). Most doctors do not understand the difference between a serum magnesium and a red cell magnesium. (Less than 1% of mg is contained in the blood plasma, so the serum tests are not reliable at all).

Those located in the US can easily order a test online and get their blood sample collected in a local lab: http://requestatest.com/magnesium-rbc-testing

However I'm living in Chiang Mai... Maybe I can find a lab in Bangkok and mail them my blood sample?

More info about mg here: http://www.easy-immune-health.com/magnesium-level.html

Edited March 13, 2016 by jitowix

[Lowriesuzanne]

Order the test online and pay for FedEx delivery to Chiang Mai. Send the test kit back to the lab via FedEx. You can get tested for several things at once. You may get a surprise.

[jitowix]

Order the test online and pay for FedEx delivery to Chiang Mai. Send the test kit back to the lab via FedEx. You can get tested for several things at once. You may get a surprise.

I don't see any way to choose international location when ordering the test. I will try to contact them. Have you done something similar?

[chiang mai]

Unless you have a specific magnesium related health problem I would have thought that any magnesium blood test might have done the trick but what do I know, Sheryl will so maybe ask her.

There's some good doctors at Sriphat and they have a fist class lab.

[jitowix]

Unless you have a specific magnesium related health problem I would have thought that any magnesium blood test might have done the trick but what do I know, Sheryl will so maybe ask her.

There's some good doctors at Sriphat and they have a fist class lab.

Thanks I will ask her. I went to Sriphat to have mg test a few weeks ago but they did the wrong test (Serum)... The results were fine but unfortunately not reliable. I've been having many symptoms of mg deficiency for years and just want to know how bad it is...

Edited March 13, 2016 by jitowix

[sunnyjim5]

You may have difficulty in finding what you want.

Mainstream hospital labs rarely run this test and the results are of of questionable clinical value generally speaking.

Usually tests such as this are requested by the "worried well" who have been influenced by "alternative" web sites and quacks selling supplements and unproven "cures"

[eaglesflight]

If you have symptoms of magnesium deficiency can't you just take supplements, or isn't it as simple as that?

Edited March 13, 2016 by eaglesflight

[jitowix]

If you have symptoms of magnesium deficiency can't you just take supplements, or isn't it as simple as that?

I have tried many different supplements without too much success. Sometimes it helps but the symptoms tend to reappear. I wish I could check my real mg level and see if it improves in the future.

[northernjohn]

If you have symptoms of magnesium deficiency can't you just take supplements, or isn't it as simple as that?

I have tried many different supplements without too much success. Sometimes it helps but the symptoms tend to reappear. I wish I could check my real mg level and see if it improves in the future.

Are you sure it is a magnesium shortage? You can always eat bananas they are a good source of potassium.

[Lowriesuzanne]

Go to Wikipedia, input "magnesium deficiency", buy a nebulizer and ingredients Wikipedia lists for nebulizing magnesium. If you feel better instantly, keep doing this.

[sunnyjim5]

If you have symptoms of magnesium deficiency can't you just take supplements, or isn't it as simple as that?

I have tried many different supplements without too much success. Sometimes it helps but the symptoms tend to reappear. I wish I could check my real mg level and see if it improves in the future.

What are the symptoms ?

If taking magnesium supplements has not effected a "cure" how will this test your seeking help ?

Have you consulted a physician about the problem ?

Edited March 13, 2016 by sunnyjim5

[Lowriesuzanne]

After you follow the instructions in Wikipedia for magnesium vapor, if you still have the symptoms, then test for diabetes. Almost all Americans are deficient in magnesium. I take magnesium, potassium and zinc every morning. Pills are available in Chiang Mai. Then I take a multivitamin. Why? I swim every morning and I hate leg cramps.

[Lowriesuzanne]

Grr. Grrr. I find myself doing the research for you. 1) many things create a magnesium deficiency: a) too much alcohol too many sodas c) sugar d) uncontrolled diabetes 2) take supplements including potassium and zinc plus multivitamins for the rest of your life 3) buy glass refrigerator jars and start filling them with sliced citrus fruit and bottled water. Chill, drink. Stop the sodas and booze. 4) get an A1c test for your sugar levels over time...not a finger stick for your current levels...you want to know how you were doing during the last 90 days 5) cut back on the caffeine by switching to tea without sugar 6) You don't need to test...your levels will fluctuate daily all your life...you can't "fix" the problem...it depends on the daily consumption of caffeine, alcohol, sodas and sugar. Why sodas? They contain phosphate which binds to magnesium. As a kid, I went to a drugstore that sold cherry 'phosphates'. It was a special place. Now people drink "phosphates" (sodas) all day long. Nope. You can't do that. Half of America is magnesium depleted. The other half follow the above advice. Why do I take supplements every day? I'm a swimmer and scuba diver. I do not want leg cramps at 110 feet or while lap swimming or when using my 1-meter long free diver fins. I'm diabetic. That means I pee a lot if my blood sugar rises. When that happens, I deplete all magnesium and other things like vitamin D. You are in charge of you. You can "fix" the problem by never forgetting to take your supplements. Every day. Rest of your life. Forget the test. Once a week is treat meal day for me...I go to McDonald's and I eat a double beef burger with cheese and bacon and have a small Coke Zero. No Death Fries. No more beef, bacon, cheese, soda for the rest of the week. You can do it. Also buy two liter bottles of unsweetened tea and keep them in your refrigerator in case of emergency. What's an 'emergency'? You don't have any oranges, lemons or limes in the house and your glass refrigerator jars have been refilled so many times with the same citrus slices that the lovely flavors are missing. Get to work. Every day. Stop fantasizing that there is a "fix".

[jitowix]

Grr. Grrr. I find myself doing the research for you. 1) many things create a magnesium deficiency: a) too much alcohol too many sodas c) sugar d) uncontrolled diabetes 2) take supplements including potassium and zinc plus multivitamins for the rest of your life 3) buy glass refrigerator jars and start filling them with sliced citrus fruit and bottled water. Chill, drink. Stop the sodas and booze. 4) get an A1c test for your sugar levels over time...not a finger stick for your current levels...you want to know how you were doing during the last 90 days 5) cut back on the caffeine by switching to tea without sugar 6) You don't need to test...your levels will fluctuate daily all your life...you can't "fix" the problem...it depends on the daily consumption of caffeine, alcohol, sodas and sugar. Why sodas? They contain phosphate which binds to magnesium. As a kid, I went to a drugstore that sold cherry 'phosphates'. It was a special place. Now people drink "phosphates" (sodas) all day long. Nope. You can't do that. Half of America is magnesium depleted. The other half follow the above advice. Why do I take supplements every day? I'm a swimmer and scuba diver. I do not want leg cramps at 110 feet or while lap swimming or when using my 1-meter long free diver fins. I'm diabetic. That means I pee a lot if my blood sugar rises. When that happens, I deplete all magnesium and other things like vitamin D. You are in charge of you. You can "fix" the problem by never forgetting to take your supplements. Every day. Rest of your life. Forget the test. Once a week is treat meal day for me...I go to McDonald's and I eat a double beef burger with cheese and bacon and have a small Coke Zero. No Death Fries. No more beef, bacon, cheese, soda for the rest of the week. You can do it. Also buy two liter bottles of unsweetened tea and keep them in your refrigerator in case of emergency. What's an 'emergency'? You don't have any oranges, lemons or limes in the house and your glass refrigerator jars have been refilled so many times with the same citrus slices that the lovely flavors are missing. Get to work. Every day. Stop fantasizing that there is a "fix".

Trust me I have done a lot of research about mg . Even read books about it. I have tried many different supplements but still haven't found something that works well for me. Most of the mg supplements give me loose stools so I don't think they are well absorbed by my body. I'm currently following the suggestions of this group: http://gotmag.org/how-to-restore-magnesium/ That's why I wanted to get a RBC test to have a better idea. Ionic mg helps me to sleep but still not enough to makes me feel better. Also mg oil and foot soaking with mg chloride help a bit...

I'm often stressed, feel tired and on bad days have spasms and insomnia.

I don't drink caffeine/tea and not much alcohol/sodas (alcohol makes me feel worse the next day). I don't eat that much sugar and I also try to work out regularly.

Your sliced citrus fruit in jar is for vit C right?

Thanks for suggesting the nebulizer, it was on my list. I'm currently looking at how to import a portable one like the Omron MicroAir NE-U22 which looks like the best although expensive. Is Epsom Salts for nebulized magnesium sulfate a safe source?

[jitowix]

If you have symptoms of magnesium deficiency can't you just take supplements, or isn't it as simple as that?

I have tried many different supplements without too much success. Sometimes it helps but the symptoms tend to reappear. I wish I could check my real mg level and see if it improves in the future.

What are the symptoms ?

If taking magnesium supplements has not effected a "cure" how will this test your seeking help ?

Have you consulted a physician about the problem ?

Anxiety, spasms, sometimes insomnia... My doctor told me it was due to a magnesium deficiency which seems very probable.. (It started 5 years ago...)

A test would simply confirm it and I could take it again in the future to see if it has improved.

[sunnyjim5]

After you follow the instructions in Wikipedia for magnesium vapor, if you still have the symptoms, then test for diabetes. Almost all Americans are deficient in magnesium. I take magnesium, potassium and zinc every morning. Pills are available in Chiang Mai. Then I take a multivitamin. Why? I swim every morning and I hate leg cramps.

After you follow the instructions in Wikipedia for magnesium vapor, if you still have the symptoms, then test for diabetes. Almost all Americans are deficient in magnesium. I take magnesium, potassium and zinc every morning. Pills are available in Chiang Mai. Then I take a multivitamin. Why? I swim every morning and I hate leg cramps.

"Almost all Americans are deficient in magnesium."

Any links to published, reputable scientific/medic Journals where details of that astounding claim can be found ?

[arunsakda]

No legitimate links would be found. Only online rubbish in endless circles of citation and self-promotion,

from supplementation Charlatans pushed at masses of the crazed and hypochondriacal.

Most of who may benefit from a Psychiatrist more than anything else.

Edited March 14, 2016 by arunsakda

[Lowriesuzanne]

Usually a psych diagnosis is bad scholarship. The doc has 15 minutes to solve the problem and isn't smart enough to refer the patient for further testing. I was feeling weird but didn't understand my symptoms and had a hard time describing what was wrong with me. My primary care physician at Kaiser offered anti-depressants. I have a PhD; I was indignant. I told her she was criminally lazy. I went home and ordered the Harvard Health Book for Women and the Johns Hopkins Book of Health. I read 1600 pages twice and then knew I was diabetic and finally could describe what was happening. I told a Kaiser nurse I had "raging thirst" and asked her for an A1c test and Bingo! Type 2. I started taking pills and insulin and felt fine in a week. My problem? I didn't know the vocabulary that would trigger the appropriate diagnosis. "Raging thirst" was one of the key phrases. Of course, because of lots of water drinking and lots of peeing, I was deficient in every vitamin. So if you get up twice at night and pee like a horse, you will be depleted in whole range of vitamins and minerals. But it is not the magnesium deficiency that is the underlying cause. It is high uncontrolled blood sugar that is to blame. Maybe. So testing for magnesium seems a bit ho-hum. Why not test for parasites and diabetes first? The endos at Ram-1 and CMU Specialty Clinic are well trained. Ask them for an A1c and poop/pee test while taking all the vitamins and minerals that are depleted....for the rest of your life. I hope you find out the cause of your magnesium depletion. Go to pubmed.gov. Look up causes of magnesium depletion. Meanwhile drink water and avoid sugar and soda water. That means zero pasta, potatoes, rice, popcorn and bread. Ditto ice cream.

[Rancid]

You may have difficulty in finding what you want.

Mainstream hospital labs rarely run this test and the results are of of questionable clinical value generally speaking.

Usually tests such as this are requested by the "worried well" who have been influenced by "alternative" web sites and quacks selling supplements and unproven "cures"

Well, guess we all have the choice of taking pharmaceuticals of using natural means. Just a few stats for the pharmaceutical approach from HuffPost but plenty more horror stories out there if inclined to look for them:

• Did you know that the majority of FDA approved drugs have serious potential side effects that were not detected before marketing approval?
• That about three quarters of a million people a year are rushed to emergency rooms in the U.S. because of adverse drug reactions, according to the CDC?
• That the number of medication-related deaths in the U.S. is estimated at over 200,000 a year, making medications the third or fourth leading cause of death in this country?
• That even common pain relievers called NSAIDs, examples of which include Advil, Motrin, Aleve and aspirin, account for an estimated 7,600 deaths and 76,000 hospitalizations in the U. S. every year?

Personally I'll go for the Quacks...