If you are concerned that you may have a lack of magnesium, your doctor can evaluate your levels with a serum magnesium test. This simple blood test will check how much magnesium is circulating in your blood. An ideal level is between 1.7 and 2.2 mg/dL.
Symptoms of Low Magnesium
A lack of magnesium can lead to problems with the many functions in your body that use magnesium. This results in symptoms of hyper-excitability, muscle weakness, sleepiness, apathy, confusion, fatigue, insomnia, irritability, muscle twitching and poor memory. More severe symptoms include a rapid heartbeat, delirium and hallucinations. Although a magnesium deficiency is rare, it can occur if you consume a poor diet, suffer from kidney or gastrointestinal disorders, or if you are a chronic alcoholic.
Why is Magnesium Important?
Your body needs magnesium to run hundreds of important chemical reactions in your body. For example, some key functions of magnesium include the contraction and relaxation of your muscles and the production of proteins. Magnesium also helps the function of various enzymes that contribute to your metabolism, which produce energy for your cells. To meet these needs, you need to consume the recommended dietary allowance from the foods that you eat. If not, you will develop a lack of magnesium in your blood, which could lead to symptoms.
Magnesium and Your Diet
Magnesium is found in a variety of foods, and if you consume a healthy and balanced diet you should get enough each day. To get your daily magnesium, eat foods such as vegetables, nuts, seeds, fruits, whole grains, beans, peas and soy products. The daily intake needed is 310 mg to 320 mg for adult females and 400 mg to 420 mg for adult males.
Considerations
If you have symptoms that seem related to a magnesium deficiency, talk to you doctor about having a serum magnesium test. If your magnesium level is below the ideal range, your doctor will determine the best form of treatment. This could involve a change in your diet or treatment to address an underlying disorder that may be causing your low level of magnesium. If you choose to add a daily multivitamin to help with your symptoms, discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist if you are on medications. Some medications can be interfered with when you take certain supplements.
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