Humans need an ample supply of minerals for various bodily processes. Magnesium, for one, plays a big role in over 300 enzyme systems responsible for a myriad of biochemical reactions in our bodies. If supply becomes abnormally low, the person will experience a slew of troublesome symptoms. With that, the question is this: how can you tell if your magnesium is low?.
Magnesium deficiency isn’t easily diagnosed by simply looking at a person. A physician will have to conduct tests to determine whether you have this problem.
Below, we talk about the role of magnesium in the human body, how to tell if you have a deficiency, and what you can do to pump up its supply.
How can you tell if your magnesium is low?
In general, our bodies always exhibit symptoms whenever we experience nutrient or mineral deficiencies. It’s a call for help, so make sure that you don’t dismiss potential symptoms.
The following are signs that your magnesium is low:
1. Generalized fatigue and muscle weakness
Experiencing fatigue from time to time is normal, especially if you’re performing physically challenging tasks. However, if you still feel tired after resting, you may want to check your magnesium levels.
Aside from that, exhaustion due to low magnesium levels is often felt both mentally and physically. You’ll also feel your muscles weaken as there’s a low amount of magnesium to process energy.
Moreover, magnesium deficiency can lead to potassium loss in the muscle cells. This will make the person weak and potentially suffer from other symptoms.
However, it’s important to remember that fatigue is a general symptom. If it’s not going away and is starting to affect your daily chores, we recommend that you consult a doctor.
2. Frequent cramps and twitches
Since the lack of magnesium weakens the muscles, you’ll also experience twitches and cramps. Those with magnesium deficiency will experience recurring cramps even when exerting minimal effort.
This happens because the low supply of magnesium in the muscles reduces the electrical threshold of nerve cells. With that, the nerve cells become hyper-excitable, thus a cramp or spasm.
Moreover, this same symptom can also occur if you have a calcium deficiency. So before you take a magnesium supplement, it’s best to undergo tests to determine the real deficiency you’re suffering from.
However, just like weakness and fatigue, muscle cramps can also point to other health problems. If you’re taking medications, cramping might be a side effect. The same goes for individuals suffering from the onset of multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy.
3. High blood pressure
Initial studies show that magnesium deficiency can cause a spike in a person’s blood pressure. While it’s not the sole reason behind the condition, such low supply is considered a contributing factor. And if not addressed, high blood pressure due to low magnesium levels can cause heart disease.
While more studies are needed to prove this, magnesium deficiency remains a serious medical concern that must be addressed immediately.
4. Irregular heartbeat
A low supply of magnesium can cause heart arrhythmia, also known as irregular heartbeat. It’s considered a serious symptom and can trigger other secondary symptoms in the long run.
Due to low magnesium supply, a person may experience heart palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, and lightheadedness. In some cases, the person will faint.
Although these symptoms can be managed with rest, prolonged arrhythmia can be a risk factor for heart failure and even stroke. This is why those with lingering heart conditions should watch out for their magnesium levels at all times.
5. Asthma-like symptoms
Low levels of magnesium in an extended period can trigger asthma-like symptoms. It happens because calcium buildup may occur in the lungs as the magnesium supply dwindles. In this case, the calcium-lined airway will constrict and make it hard to breathe.
Moreover, this is specifically dangerous for individuals who are already suffering from asthma. Attacks may become worse and more frequent.
It’s also the reason why many asthmatic patients are given inhalers formulated with magnesium sulfate. This is because magnesium sulfate helps relax the airways for easier breathing. However, in life-threatening conditions, the doctor will inject magnesium for faster deployment into the body.
6. Poor appetite
Low levels of serum magnesium in the body can trigger an electrolyte imbalance called hypomagnesemia. One of the hallmark symptoms of this health problem is loss of appetite, together with spasms, tremors, and vomiting.
The bad thing about poor appetite is it will make ingestion of magnesium-rich food difficult. This is much so for kids suffering from magnesium deficiency.
Overall, hypomagnesemia alone isn’t an absolute sign of magnesium deficiency. It can also be attributed to conditions like alcohol use disorder, gastrointestinal problems, and other chronic diseases.
7. Personality changes
Many people don’t know that a sufficient supply of magnesium is crucial for a healthy mood. So if a person suffers from a deficiency, he or she may start to exhibit personality changes.
There’s also an analysis, which suggests that low levels of magnesium can expose a person to the risk of depression. It can also trigger a lack of emotion and apathy as the brain doesn’t get its much-needed mineral for optimal functions.
Aside from that, a person with a magnesium deficiency can suffer from migraine headaches. The discomfort this condition brings can make a person irritable and impatient.
Overall, low levels of magnesium are also found to be associated with several psychiatric and neurological conditions. Observations show that magnesium deficiency can worsen anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and bipolar disorder.
From the scientific aspect, magnesium works in the pituitary gland and hypothalamus. These parts of the brain are responsible for the regulation of stress chemicals. If magnesium supply becomes scarce, stress hormones may flood the body, leading to panic attacks and anxiety.
8. Seizures
In serious cases, persons suffering from magnesium deficiency can have seizures. This can happen if the deficiency has been worse and lingering for a long period.
Moreover, seizures occur because the low levels of magnesium are already disrupting the normal functions of the brain. This can cause neurons to fire up and trigger a full-on seizure.
Take note that this symptom should be taken as a medical emergency, whether it’s triggered by magnesium deficiency or not. It’s because seizures can have long-term effects on the brain. Make sure that you seek a doctor right after the person’s seizures subsided. The faster you get the person to a hospital after a seizure, the better.
Medical diagnosis of magnesium deficiency
Since the symptoms of magnesium deficiency are quite general in nature. It’s best to have yourself tested at the hospital or clinic.
Mostly, doctors will order a blood test. However, the blood test won’t give doctors the full picture since magnesium is mostly stored in the bones and tissues. Nevertheless, magnesium profiles on your blood can still help in the diagnosis of the deficiency.
In clinical analysis, the normal blood magnesium level is 1.8 to 2.2 mg per deciliter (mg/dL). If your reading is lower than 1.25 mg/dL, it’s considered a deficiency or severely low magnesium levels.
What causes magnesium deficiency?
Magnesium deficiency can be due to various reasons, including the following:
- Old age. Absorption of magnesium becomes less efficient as a person grows older. It’s because a big amount of magnesium gets flushed into an aging person’s urine. Aside from that, older individuals tend to have a poor diet that doesn’t meet their magnesium needs.
- Gastrointestinal diseases. GI conditions like Crohn’s disease and Celiac disease can impair a person’s ability to absorb magnesium. Chronic and recurring diarrhea can also be a culprit here.
- Use of diuretics. Regular use of diuretics will flush out substantial amounts of magnesium into a person’s urine. Aside from that, the person will also lose other electrolytes like calcium and potassium.
- Alcohol use. Alcohol dependence can wreak havoc on your body, which includes triggering magnesium deficiency.
Take note that other health problems can have magnesium deficiency as a secondary condition. It’s important to get examined by a doctor to know what’s really wrong with your body. This will also let you seek proper treatment before your situation gets worse.
Final words
How can you tell if your magnesium is low? You should watch out for fatigue, muscle cramps, poor appetite, high blood pressure, and palpitations. If you notice these symptoms, you shouldn’t hesitate to consult a doctor.
It’s important to resolve magnesium deficiency as early as possible to prevent serious complications. A proper diet and the guidance of your physician will surely help.
Disclaimer: I may be a good marketer, but I’m in no way a certified healthcare professional, so take my words with a grain of salt and consult your physician/trainer before doing any of the above exercises.