Clinical biochemistry
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Clinical biochemistry · Dec 1996
Reference interval for whole blood ionized magnesium in a healthy population and the stability of ionized magnesium under varied laboratory conditions.
To establish a reference interval for ionized magnesium (iMg), to evaluate the stability of whole blood iMg under varied laboratory storage conditions, and to study the correlation between total and iMg in healthy volunteers and in an intensive care unit (ICU) population. ⋯ Using the NOVA 8 Electrolyte Analyzer, we established a reference interval for whole blood iMg in a healthy Canadian population. The correlation between ionized Mg and total Mg was weak, but statistically significant. Ionized Mg levels in lithium heparin tubes were stable over 5 days when specimens were stored at 4 degrees C, suggesting that specimens may be stored at least overnight prior to processing.