Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsLack of Early SymptomsSymptoms Over TimeGetting Enough MagnesiumTesting for MagnesiumRisks if UntreatedTreatmentToo Much Magnesium
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Lack of Early Symptoms
Symptoms Over Time
Getting Enough Magnesium
Testing for Magnesium
Risks if Untreated
Treatment
Too Much Magnesium
Magnesium is an essential mineral vital for regulating your heart rhythm; muscle, nerve, and brain functions; and energy levels.Low magnesium can occur when you don’t get enough magnesium in your diet, your body doesn’t absorb it well, or you excrete too much.
People with certain medical conditions such as diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, and alcohol use disorders, as well as older adults are at higher risk of deficiency. While you may not have symptoms initially, early symptoms include:
This article reviews low magnesium symptoms, how they progress over time, the daily requirements of magnesium, how to know if you are getting enough, and what to do if you need more magnesium.
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Low Magnesium May Not Immediately Cause Symptoms
An adult body stores about 25 grams (g) of magnesium—60% in your bones and 40% in your cells. Less than 1% of magnesium in the body stays in the serum (liquid portion of the blood).
Low magnesium may not cause symptoms initially because your bloodstream borrows excess magnesium from your cells or bones.Your body can perform vital functions until the cells and bones run out of extra magnesium. Symptoms arise when there is nothing left to tap into.
Low Magnesium Symptoms That May Occur Over Time
The timing and severity of symptoms depend on the degree and rate of magnesium depletion.You or a healthcare provider may overlook a magnesium deficiency, delaying a diagnosis because of subtle symptoms like fatigue. Here are some examples of low magnesium symptoms:
Magnesium, Potassium, Vitamin D, and CalciumMagnesium,potassium, vitamin D, and calcium have a complex interconnection.Your body needs stable levels of each to function properly. For example:Magnesium helps regulate potassium.Magnesium helps turnvitamin Dinto its usable form.Vitamin D helps with magnesium absorption (from food).Vitamin D and magnesium help control the parathyroid hormone (PTH).Low vitamin D causes PTH levels to rise, which can cause you to lose too much magnesium in the urine.Severe magnesium deficiency can lead to lowcalciumlevels.
Magnesium, Potassium, Vitamin D, and Calcium
Magnesium,potassium, vitamin D, and calcium have a complex interconnection.Your body needs stable levels of each to function properly. For example:Magnesium helps regulate potassium.Magnesium helps turnvitamin Dinto its usable form.Vitamin D helps with magnesium absorption (from food).Vitamin D and magnesium help control the parathyroid hormone (PTH).Low vitamin D causes PTH levels to rise, which can cause you to lose too much magnesium in the urine.Severe magnesium deficiency can lead to lowcalciumlevels.
Magnesium,potassium, vitamin D, and calcium have a complex interconnection.Your body needs stable levels of each to function properly. For example:
Am I Getting Enough Magnesium?
Daily Recommended Amounts of Magnesium for AdultsThe daily recommended magnesium intake for adults is between 310 and 320 milligrams (mg) daily for adult females and 400 and 420 mg for adult males. Postmenopausal people should continue to aim for 320 mg per day. Levels vary slightly for pregnant and lactating people as follows.Pregnant:Age 14–18: 400 mg per dayAge 19–30: 350 mg per dayAge 31 and older: 360 mg per dayLactating:Age 14–18: 360 mg per dayAge 19–30: 310 mg per dayAge 31 and older: 320 mg per day
Daily Recommended Amounts of Magnesium for Adults
The daily recommended magnesium intake for adults is between 310 and 320 milligrams (mg) daily for adult females and 400 and 420 mg for adult males. Postmenopausal people should continue to aim for 320 mg per day. Levels vary slightly for pregnant and lactating people as follows.Pregnant:Age 14–18: 400 mg per dayAge 19–30: 350 mg per dayAge 31 and older: 360 mg per dayLactating:Age 14–18: 360 mg per dayAge 19–30: 310 mg per dayAge 31 and older: 320 mg per day
The daily recommended magnesium intake for adults is between 310 and 320 milligrams (mg) daily for adult females and 400 and 420 mg for adult males. Postmenopausal people should continue to aim for 320 mg per day. Levels vary slightly for pregnant and lactating people as follows.
Pregnant:
Lactating:
What Are the Health Benefits of Magnesium?
Can You Test for Low Magnesium on Your Own?
At-home vitamin-deficiency testsare available. The self-tests typically involve a finger-prick blood test where you can collect a sample at home and send it to the distributor’s lab for analysis. You usually get results a few days after the lab receives the sample.
Sharing the results with a healthcare provider is vital because magnesium levels within the normal range do not necessarily mean you have enough magnesium. These tests do not provide information about magnesium stores in the body.
But having symptoms or having a magnesium level at the lower end of the normal range could indicate a possible deficiency. The provider may order other, more specialized tests, including the following:
Risks of Untreated Symptoms of Low Magnesium
Left untreated, low magnesium levels can lead to the onset or worsening of the following health conditions:
Low Magnesium May Be a Sign of Preeclampsia in Pregnant PeopleIt’s also important to note that low magnesium levels in pregnant people may be a sign of preeclampsia or eclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy).
Low Magnesium May Be a Sign of Preeclampsia in Pregnant People
It’s also important to note that low magnesium levels in pregnant people may be a sign of preeclampsia or eclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy).
What to Do With a Magnesium Deficiency
Depending on your level of magnesium deficiency, underlying health conditions, and the medications you take, your healthcare provider may recommend dietary changes or supplementation.
Dietary Changes
Dietary changes may involve increasing magnesium-rich foods and limiting sugar, saturated fat, sodium, and alcohol.
While this is not an exhaustive list, magnesium-rich foods include:
For example, older adults, critically ill people, and those with alcohol use disorder, gastrointestinal problems, and diabetes are at higher risk of deficiency. Examples of health conditions and medications that can contribute to lower magnesium levels include:
This means that dietary changes or supplements may not fix low magnesium, especially if you have an underlying condition or take a medication causing the deficiency.
Magnesium Supplementation
If you need oral magnesium supplements, follow a healthcare provider’s guidance regarding the type, dosage and the amount. Even though magnesium supplements are natural, they can cause side effects or interact with other medications or supplements.
It is possible to take too much magnesium. Also, medications such asantacidsandlaxativescontain a significant amount of magnesium and can cause your daily dosage to be too high.
Pros and Cons of SupplementsOral magnesium supplements are helpful for those who don’t get enough of the mineral in their diet. Many people take them at night as they make some people sleepy. Common side effects include stomach cramps and diarrhea. While the research is not extensive, some people use topical (on the skin) magnesium instead of oral supplements to reduce the risk of stomach upset.
Pros and Cons of Supplements
Oral magnesium supplements are helpful for those who don’t get enough of the mineral in their diet. Many people take them at night as they make some people sleepy. Common side effects include stomach cramps and diarrhea. While the research is not extensive, some people use topical (on the skin) magnesium instead of oral supplements to reduce the risk of stomach upset.
If your healthcare providers need to increase your magnesium levels quickly, they will offer it to you intravenously (IV) in a hospital setting. For example, providers commonly give IV magnesium to pregnant people with preeclampsia to lower their blood pressure.
Symptoms of Too Much Magnesium
Getting too much magnesium from food is unlikely unless a health condition prevents your kidneys from flushing it out of the body. But extremely high doses of magnesium (more than 5,000 mg/day) can be toxic and cause the following:
Summary
Magnesium is an essential mineral that helps your body function. Low levels may not cause symptoms initially as the body borrows stored magnesium cells. But, eventually, you may experience fatigue, poor appetite, nausea, muscle spasms, mood changes, tingling, stiffness, insomnia, or an abnormal heartbeat.
Most people get enough magnesium in their diet. But, some people may need supplementation. Taking too much magnesium can also cause stomach upset or magnesium toxicity, so always consult a healthcare provider before starting a new supplement.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Magnesium.DiNicolantonio JJ, O’Keefe JH, Wilson W.Subclinical magnesium deficiency: a principal driver of cardiovascular disease and a public health crisis.Open Heart2018;5:e000668. doi:10.1136/openhrt-2017-000668AAA Ismail, Y Ismail, AA Ismail.Chronic magnesium deficiency and human disease; Time for reappraisal?.QJM: An International Journal of Medicine. 2018;111(11):759–763. doi:10.1093/qjmed/hcx186Ahmed F, Mohammed A.Magnesium: the forgotten electrolyte—a review on hypomagnesemia.Med Sci. 2019;7(4):56. doi:10.3390/medsci7040056Al Alawi AM, Majoni SW, Falhammar H.Magnesium and human health: perspectives and research directions.International Journal of Endocrinology. 2018;2018:1-17. doi:10.1155/2018/9041694Mori S, Tomita T, Fujimura K, et al.A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial on the effect of magnesium oxide in patients with chronic constipation.J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2019;25(4):563-575. doi:10.5056/jnm18194Singh A, Kaur R, Dass B, et al.Tingles, tetany, and electrolyte derangements.Cureus. 2020;12(4):e7854. doi:10.7759/cureus.7854Arab A, Rafie N, Amani R, Shirani F.The role of magnesium in sleep health: A systematic review of available literature.Biol Trace Elem Res. 2023;201(1):121-128. doi: 10.1007/s12011-022-03162-1MedlinePlus.Fluid and electrolyte balance.Razzaque, M. S.Magnesium: Are we consuming enough?Nutrients. 2018;10(12). doi:10.3390/nu10121863MedlinePlus.Magnesium blood levels.National Institute of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.Magnesium - Health professional fact sheet.Additional ReadingAhmed F, Mohammed A.Magnesium: the forgotten electrolyte—a review on hypomagnesemia.Med Sci. 2019;7(4):56. doi:10.3390/medsci7040056National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Magnesium.Razzaque, M. S.Magnesium: Are we consuming enough?Nutrients. 2018;10(12). doi:10.3390/nu10121863
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Magnesium.DiNicolantonio JJ, O’Keefe JH, Wilson W.Subclinical magnesium deficiency: a principal driver of cardiovascular disease and a public health crisis.Open Heart2018;5:e000668. doi:10.1136/openhrt-2017-000668AAA Ismail, Y Ismail, AA Ismail.Chronic magnesium deficiency and human disease; Time for reappraisal?.QJM: An International Journal of Medicine. 2018;111(11):759–763. doi:10.1093/qjmed/hcx186Ahmed F, Mohammed A.Magnesium: the forgotten electrolyte—a review on hypomagnesemia.Med Sci. 2019;7(4):56. doi:10.3390/medsci7040056Al Alawi AM, Majoni SW, Falhammar H.Magnesium and human health: perspectives and research directions.International Journal of Endocrinology. 2018;2018:1-17. doi:10.1155/2018/9041694Mori S, Tomita T, Fujimura K, et al.A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial on the effect of magnesium oxide in patients with chronic constipation.J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2019;25(4):563-575. doi:10.5056/jnm18194Singh A, Kaur R, Dass B, et al.Tingles, tetany, and electrolyte derangements.Cureus. 2020;12(4):e7854. doi:10.7759/cureus.7854Arab A, Rafie N, Amani R, Shirani F.The role of magnesium in sleep health: A systematic review of available literature.Biol Trace Elem Res. 2023;201(1):121-128. doi: 10.1007/s12011-022-03162-1MedlinePlus.Fluid and electrolyte balance.Razzaque, M. S.Magnesium: Are we consuming enough?Nutrients. 2018;10(12). doi:10.3390/nu10121863MedlinePlus.Magnesium blood levels.National Institute of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.Magnesium - Health professional fact sheet.Additional ReadingAhmed F, Mohammed A.Magnesium: the forgotten electrolyte—a review on hypomagnesemia.Med Sci. 2019;7(4):56. doi:10.3390/medsci7040056National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Magnesium.Razzaque, M. S.Magnesium: Are we consuming enough?Nutrients. 2018;10(12). doi:10.3390/nu10121863
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Magnesium.DiNicolantonio JJ, O’Keefe JH, Wilson W.Subclinical magnesium deficiency: a principal driver of cardiovascular disease and a public health crisis.Open Heart2018;5:e000668. doi:10.1136/openhrt-2017-000668AAA Ismail, Y Ismail, AA Ismail.Chronic magnesium deficiency and human disease; Time for reappraisal?.QJM: An International Journal of Medicine. 2018;111(11):759–763. doi:10.1093/qjmed/hcx186Ahmed F, Mohammed A.Magnesium: the forgotten electrolyte—a review on hypomagnesemia.Med Sci. 2019;7(4):56. doi:10.3390/medsci7040056Al Alawi AM, Majoni SW, Falhammar H.Magnesium and human health: perspectives and research directions.International Journal of Endocrinology. 2018;2018:1-17. doi:10.1155/2018/9041694Mori S, Tomita T, Fujimura K, et al.A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial on the effect of magnesium oxide in patients with chronic constipation.J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2019;25(4):563-575. doi:10.5056/jnm18194Singh A, Kaur R, Dass B, et al.Tingles, tetany, and electrolyte derangements.Cureus. 2020;12(4):e7854. doi:10.7759/cureus.7854Arab A, Rafie N, Amani R, Shirani F.The role of magnesium in sleep health: A systematic review of available literature.Biol Trace Elem Res. 2023;201(1):121-128. doi: 10.1007/s12011-022-03162-1MedlinePlus.Fluid and electrolyte balance.Razzaque, M. S.Magnesium: Are we consuming enough?Nutrients. 2018;10(12). doi:10.3390/nu10121863MedlinePlus.Magnesium blood levels.National Institute of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.Magnesium - Health professional fact sheet.
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Magnesium.
DiNicolantonio JJ, O’Keefe JH, Wilson W.Subclinical magnesium deficiency: a principal driver of cardiovascular disease and a public health crisis.Open Heart2018;5:e000668. doi:10.1136/openhrt-2017-000668
AAA Ismail, Y Ismail, AA Ismail.Chronic magnesium deficiency and human disease; Time for reappraisal?.QJM: An International Journal of Medicine. 2018;111(11):759–763. doi:10.1093/qjmed/hcx186
Ahmed F, Mohammed A.Magnesium: the forgotten electrolyte—a review on hypomagnesemia.Med Sci. 2019;7(4):56. doi:10.3390/medsci7040056
Al Alawi AM, Majoni SW, Falhammar H.Magnesium and human health: perspectives and research directions.International Journal of Endocrinology. 2018;2018:1-17. doi:10.1155/2018/9041694
Mori S, Tomita T, Fujimura K, et al.A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial on the effect of magnesium oxide in patients with chronic constipation.J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2019;25(4):563-575. doi:10.5056/jnm18194
Singh A, Kaur R, Dass B, et al.Tingles, tetany, and electrolyte derangements.Cureus. 2020;12(4):e7854. doi:10.7759/cureus.7854
Arab A, Rafie N, Amani R, Shirani F.The role of magnesium in sleep health: A systematic review of available literature.Biol Trace Elem Res. 2023;201(1):121-128. doi: 10.1007/s12011-022-03162-1
MedlinePlus.Fluid and electrolyte balance.
Razzaque, M. S.Magnesium: Are we consuming enough?Nutrients. 2018;10(12). doi:10.3390/nu10121863
MedlinePlus.Magnesium blood levels.
National Institute of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements.Magnesium - Health professional fact sheet.
Ahmed F, Mohammed A.Magnesium: the forgotten electrolyte—a review on hypomagnesemia.Med Sci. 2019;7(4):56. doi:10.3390/medsci7040056National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Magnesium.Razzaque, M. S.Magnesium: Are we consuming enough?Nutrients. 2018;10(12). doi:10.3390/nu10121863
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