Too Little Magnesium in the Blood
Hypomagnesemia refers to a lower-than-normal level of magnesium in the blood.
In the United States, hypomagnesemia affects roughly 2% of people.
On the other hand, more severe hypomagnesemia is more likely to cause severe issues.
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Potential symptoms include:
The condition can also cause problems with other electrolytes.
For example, it may result inhypokalemia(low potassium), which can cause additional issues.
Changes in the heart rhythm are very serious potential symptoms.
People who havetype 2 diabetesand hypomagnesemia tend to have a more rapid progression of their disease.
This increases the risk of complications from diabetes.
What Is Magnesium?
Magnesium is one of the bodys main minerals.
Much of the magnesium in your body is present in your bones.
When dissolved in body fluids such as blood, magnesium is anelectrolyte.
Electrolytes are small ions that are integral to cellular function and all physiologic processes in our bodies.
Magnesiums Roles
Magnesium plays many important roles in the body.
It is part of several different enzymatic processes that trigger the many chemical reactions needed for life.
For instance, magnesium plays a key role in the cardiovascular signaling in the heart.
Dietary Deficiency
Magnesium deficiency usually only happens under special circumstances.
People generally get enough magnesium from the water they drink and from certain foods.
For example, magnesium is found in leafy greens, grains, nuts, and beans.
Sometimes people might not get enough magnesium in their diet for other reasons, like alcohol use disorder.
Hypomagnesemia can also occur when a person has been receiving nutrition through their veins (parenteral nutrition).
Medical Conditions
Low levels of magnesium in the blood can happen for other reasons too.
Certain medical conditions put you at risk of hypomagnesemia.
Some scenarios where this may happen include:
Certain rare genetic diseases also can cause hypomagnesemia.
Examples include Bartter syndrome and Gitelman syndrome.
Medications
Using certain medications can put you at risk of hypomagnesemia.
In either case, its important not just to diagnose hypomagnesemia, but also whatever is causing it.
A persons medical history can give some clues.
This includes recent symptoms and known medical conditions.
For example, someone with prolonged diarrhea might be at risk of hypomagnesemia.
Or hypomagnesemia might be more of a risk in someone onhemodialysisfor kidney disease.
Blood Tests for Magnesium
Hypomagnesemia is diagnosed through a blood test for magnesium (Mg2+).
Someone with a concentration below 0.70 mM/L is defined as having low levels of magnesium in their blood.
Some researchers believe this value should be higher0.85 mM or greater, especially for people with diabetes.
By this definition, many more people would be found to have hypomagnesemia.
Thats because most magnesium in a persons body isnt found in the blood.
So a person might havelow magnesiumin their body but a normal value in their blood.
The persons symptoms and other medical problems will help guide this part of the diagnostic process.
This might include further blood tests, imaging tests, or other tests, as needed.
Certain follow-up tests might also be advised.
If you have diabetes, it may be worth asking your healthcare provider to test for hypomagnesemia.
If you have a low level and correct this, it might help you better manage your diabetes.
Treatment
Treatment for hypomagnesemia is oral magnesium or magnesium through an intravenous (IV) line.
If a persons blood magnesium is only slightly low, oral treatment is generally recommended.
Oral magnesium is available in several different formulations.
Some of the easiest to absorb are:
People generally respond well to oral treatment with magnesium.
However, it can sometimes cause side effects like diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
For a more serious deficiency, your healthcare professional may seek to correct this more rapidly through an IV.
This needs to be monitored carefully, however, as hypermagnesemia has its own serious health risks.
Additionally, caution needs to be used for certain people.
This might include oral calcium for hypocalcemia or oral potassium for hypokalemia.
Addressing Underlying Medical Conditions
Its also critical that the cause of the low magnesium be addressed.
Talk with your healthcare professional if you are experiencing any symptoms of concern.
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