If left untreated, hypomagnesemia could cause power well being issues and reduce the physique’s ranges of calcium and potassium.
On this article, we take a detailed take a look at what components could cause low ranges of magnesium. We additionally discover the results on the physique and strategies of remedy.
A physician will often take into account a analysis of hypomagnesemia the place there are fewer than 1.8 milligrams of magnesium per deciliter of blood. Deficiencies don’t at all times trigger issues, however some early signs embody muscle twitching, numbness, and tingling.
What’s hypomagnesemia?
Magnesium is a mineral and electrolyte that has various important roles within the physique. As a result of the physique can’t produce it, magnesium have to be consumed as a part of an individual’s food regimen.
Based on the Nationwide Institutes of Well being, an estimated 50–60 % of the physique’s magnesium is saved within the bones, and fewer than 1 % is discovered within the blood.
Detecting a deficiency may be tough, as it isn’t a part of routine blood work.
Outcomes of a 2012 research counsel that round 48 % of People don’t get sufficient magnesium of their diets. Nonetheless, it’s comparatively unusual for low magnesium consumption to trigger signs in wholesome folks.
Magnesium performs a job in additional than 300 of the physique’s enzyme reactions. It contributes considerably to the:
Signs
Folks with gentle hypomagnesemia could haven’t any signs, however these can embody:
Extra extreme magnesium deficiency could cause:
In uncommon instances, the change in rhythm may be life-threatening.
Causes
Hypomagnesemia can happen when an individual doesn’t take up sufficient magnesium from their food regimen. Or, they might launch an excessive amount of magnesium from the kidneys or by the gastrointestinal tract.
Malnutrition, probably brought on by anorexia, bulimia, or frequent vomiting may end up in a magnesium deficiency. Nonetheless, malnutrition is unlikely to be accountable for low ranges of the mineral in in any other case wholesome folks.
Different causes of a magnesium deficiency embody:
Folks on sure medicines may additionally lose giant quantities of magnesium. These medicines embody:
People receiving the hormone vasopressin or sure thyroid hormones could also be equally affected.
Therapy
When a magnesium deficiency causes signs, a physician will often prescribe dietary supplements.
The next meals are additionally wealthy on this electrolyte:
When deficiencies are extreme, or the strategies above are dominated out, a physician could advocate oral magnesium salts. Magnesium can be injected right into a muscle or vein. Ongoing monitoring can decide whether or not the remedy is working.
A magnesium deficiency is linked to different mineral deficiencies, and a physician could deal with them on the identical time. For instance, it’s common to obtain calcium and magnesium collectively.
It is crucial additionally to deal with any underlying situation, similar to diabetes, that could possibly be accountable for low magnesium. A magnesium deficiency can point out that the present remedy isn’t working. An improved remedy plan could embody way of life modifications or new treatment.
Hyperlinks with hypocalcemia and hypokalemia – “if calcium is low is magnesium low”
An individual with very low ranges of magnesium may additionally have a calcium deficiency, referred to as hypocalcemia, and a potassium deficiency, referred to as hypokalemia.
Magnesium helps to move calcium and potassium ions out and in of cells. It might additionally contribute to the absorption of those vital minerals.
Treating solely a magnesium deficiency could make a calcium deficiency worse as a result of magnesium binds to calcium. Docs who suspect hypomagnesemia will usually take a look at for different deficiencies on the identical time.
Analysis
A physician could suspect that magnesium ranges are low primarily based on signs, or as a result of an individual has a situation generally linked to a magnesium deficiency.
A blood take a look at can verify the analysis, and it’s important that a physician additionally test ranges of calcium and potassium.
Nonetheless, as a result of most magnesium is positioned within the bones or tissues, an individual should still have a deficiency, even when ranges within the blood are regular. An individual with a calcium or potassium deficiency should still want remedy for hypomagnesemia.
Outlook
Most individuals with low ranges of magnesium are unable to soak up the suitable quantities. Others may even see enchancment by including magnesium-rich meals to the food regimen.
Meals that include giant quantities of each magnesium and calcium, similar to milk and cheese, could present extra advantages.
Many individuals with a magnesium deficiency won’t ever understand it. When signs develop, rapid remedy is required. The deficiency is definitely reversed, and an individual could also be stunned by how shortly their signs enhance.
It is crucial, nevertheless, to not self-diagnose a magnesium deficiency and start supplementation with out seeing a physician. An excessive amount of of any nutrient, together with magnesium, may be dangerous and will trigger an imbalance in different minerals.
Converse with a physician about any signs of hypomagnesemia.