Comparative Analysis of Serum Magnesium Ion Levels Using Three Measurement Methods: Spectrophotometry, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry, and Inductively Coupled Plasma With Optical Emission Spectrophotometry

Abstract

Magnesium is a cation that plays as an important cofactor in various enzymatic reactions. It is the fourth most abundant cation in the body after sodium, potassium, and calcium. There are various magnesium measurement methods available such as spectrophotometry, atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrophotometry. These measurement methods have various advantages and disadvantages in measuring magnesium levels in serum. This study aimed to compare the magnesium measurement results by using three different methods. A total of 221 samples were examined for magnesium levels using spectrophotometry, atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrophotometry methods. The results were then grouped into hypomagnesemia, noromagnesemia, and hypermagnesemia according to normal values. The mean and standard deviation were calculated and compared across three different methods. The mean and standard deviation of serum magnesium ion levels measured using spectrophotometry, atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrophotometry methods were 1.84 ± 0.43, 1.86 ± 0.43, and 1.85 ± 0.43 (mg/dL), respectively. There were no significant differences (p value > 0.05) in serum magnesium levels using spectrophotometry, atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrophotometry measurement methods, indicating similar reliability among the methods.