How to Tell If You Have a Magnesium Deficiency

Magnesium is the fourth most common metal in the body, and most of it is found in bone. Magnesium is necessary for many cell reactions, blood pressure regulation, protein synthesis, transmission of nerve impulses and the production of parathyroid hormone, the hormone that controls the level of calcium in blood and bones. Magnesium deficiency is rare in the United States, affecting only 2 percent of the population. The deficiency is equally common in men and women and is also found in children.

Instructions

• 1

  Learn the symptoms of magnesium deficiency. Early symptoms include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, confusion, insomnia, fatigue and weakness. As the deficiency gets worse, you might have numbness, tingling, muscle contractions and cramps, seizures, personality changes, abnormal heartbeats and coronary spasms (when a heart artery suddenly and painfully narrows so your heart does not get enough blood). In severe cases, your muscle contractions may worsen and you could experience delirium (sudden, severe confusion and possible loss of consciousness), hallucinations (seeing and hearing things that are not there) and numbness.

• 2

  Tell your doctor about any medical conditions you have and any medications you are taking that could cause magnesium deficiency. The doctor should know if you have gastrointestinal problems including colon (bowel) cancer or recent surgery, colon radiation treatment, chronic diarrhea, laxative abuse or inflammatory bowel disease, and tell him if you have kidney disease or diabetes, alcoholism, or thyroid or parathyroid gland disorders. Tell your doctor if you take medications including some high blood pressure drugs and diuretics (water pills), some chemotherapy drugs, certain antibiotics and magnesium-containing antacids and laxatives.

• 3

  Visit your doctor and get tested if you have any symptoms of magnesium deficiency. Tests for magnesium deficiency can include a blood test to check the amount of magnesium and other substances in your serum and an ECG (electrocardiogram) and cardiac monitor to check for irregular heartbeats. In most cases, your doctor will be able to treat your deficiency easily by giving you a magnesium supplement.