Mineral Levels

About the Mineral Levels Panel

Most blood panels already include magnesium, but they test the wrong form. Serum magnesium stays stable even when the magnesium inside your cells runs low, so a "normal" result can hide a real shortfall. The Mineral Levels panel measures RBC magnesium and selenium, the forms that reflect your actual stores. No doctor's visit, results delivered to your dashboard.

Why RBC magnesium and selenium, not just a standard mineral check

Magnesium is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions, affecting muscle function, nerve signaling, blood sugar, blood pressure, and sleep. The standard serum magnesium test often misses deficiency, because your body pulls magnesium from cells to keep blood levels stable, so you can be significantly deficient while serum looks fine. RBC magnesium measures the magnesium inside your red blood cells, a far more accurate reflection of your stores. This panel pairs it with selenium, a trace mineral central to thyroid function that standard panels rarely include, covering two minerals commonly missed by routine testing.

What this panel tests

Magnesium RBC (Red Blood Cell Magnesium)

Magnesium is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in your body, affecting muscle function, nerve signaling, blood sugar regulation, blood pressure, and sleep quality. The standard serum magnesium test often misses deficiency, because your body pulls magnesium from cells to keep blood levels stable, so you can be significantly deficient while serum levels look fine. RBC magnesium measures the magnesium inside your red blood cells, a far more accurate reflection of your body's actual stores. Low levels have been associated with muscle cramps, poor sleep, and irregular heartbeat. Alcohol, high caffeine intake, chronic stress, certain diuretics, and GI malabsorption can all deplete magnesium over time.

Reference ranges vary by lab and individual. Your Superpower care team and provider will interpret your specific result in context.

Selenium

Selenium is a trace mineral essential for thyroid function, immune defense, and antioxidant protection. Your thyroid contains more selenium per gram than any other organ; it is needed to convert T4 into the active T3 hormone and to protect the thyroid from oxidative damage. Selenium also powers glutathione peroxidase, an enzyme that works with glutathione (your body's master antioxidant) to limit oxidative damage. Levels vary with diet and geography, since soil depletion affects how much selenium reaches the food supply. Low selenium has been associated with thyroid dysfunction and weakened immune defenses. Because selenium has a relatively narrow optimal range, knowing where you stand is more useful than guessing.

Reference ranges vary by lab and individual. Your provider will interpret your result in context.

Symptoms associated with low magnesium or selenium

The following have been associated with low mineral levels and may be worth investigating:

• Muscle cramps or twitching
• Persistent fatigue that does not resolve with sleep
• Irregular heartbeat or palpitations
• Poor sleep or difficulty staying asleep
• Anxiety or mood symptoms
• Symptoms of high stress, which depletes magnesium rapidly
• Thyroid-related symptoms such as sluggishness or cold intolerance
• Frequent infections or a slow immune response

Who benefits from testing

• You have muscle cramps, poor sleep, anxiety, or an irregular heartbeat
• You have thyroid issues or a family history of thyroid disease
• You're under chronic stress, which depletes magnesium rapidly
• You want to verify your mineral intake is actually sufficient rather than assuming
• You supplement magnesium or selenium and want to confirm you're in an effective range
• You're an athlete or active person dealing with cramps, poor recovery, or disrupted sleep
• You have a GI condition affecting absorption (Crohn's, celiac, IBS)
• Your standard magnesium test came back "normal" but symptoms persist

How to prepare

• Stop magnesium and selenium supplements at least 7 days before your draw. RBC magnesium and selenium reflect recent mineral exposure, so supplementing right before the test can skew your result. This is the most important step for this panel.
• Continue all prescribed medications as normal.
• Drink water normally to stay hydrated.

How it works

1. Order online. No doctor's visit required.
2. Get your blood drawn at a local clinic near you, or with an at-home phlebotomist option (+$119).
3. Review your results in your dashboard within 10 days, with your care team available for questions.