The Synermed® magnesium is detected in the infrared region of the spectrum thus avoiding the absorbance of hemoglobin and minimizing the absorbance of lipemia. Except in geriatric populations, most pathologic magnesium values are below normal. Consequently, signal levels [absorbance changes] are very low. Low levels of serum background noise is very important to avoid chromatic interference, especially in the important pathologic low levels.
Magnesium reacts with Xylidyl Blue I to produce a Magnesium-xylidyl blue complex which is red in color at the alkaline pH of the reagent. The disappearance of the near-infrared absorbing blue color is proportional to the amount of magnesium present in the serum.
Xylidyl Blue I + Mg+2 -> Xylidyl Blue-Mg+2 complex
(blue) (red)
The disappearance of the initial blue color as the xylidyl-Mg complex is formed can be measured between 630 nm and 670 nm and is proportional to the magnesium concentration. Calcium is prevented from forming a complex with the xylidyl blue by the inclusion of EGTA in the reaction mixture.
Most applications of this procedure have been found to be linear to 2.5 mmol/L (5.0 mEq/L) magnesium.
Mean | SD | CV |
0.7 mmol/L | 0.010 | 1.5% |
2.3 mmol/L | 0.013 | 0.6% |
Mean | SD | CV |
0.69 mmol/L | 0.01 | 1.4% |
2.25 mmol/L | 0.05 | 2.2% |
Decreased levels of serum magnesium are seen in a variety of pathologic conditions. The most common reason for lowered levels in otherwise normal patients is alcoholism. Causes of hypomagnesemia are classified below.
Hypermagnesemia and intoxication occur mainly in patients with serious renal insufficiency and in eclampsia when large doses of magnesium salts are administered. The administration of magnesium-containing antacids in patients with renal failure is an important cause of magnesium intoxication.