What are the signs and symptoms of magnesium deficiency?

From the Guidelines

Magnesium deficiency can manifest through various signs and symptoms, including fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, tremors, numbness, tingling in the extremities, and abnormal heart rhythms, as noted in studies such as 1. The symptoms of magnesium deficiency can be diverse and affect multiple body systems. Early symptoms may include:

• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting As the deficiency progresses, more serious symptoms may develop, such as:
• Muscle cramps
• Tremors
• Numbness
• Tingling in the extremities
• Abnormal heart rhythms Psychological symptoms can also occur, including:
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Difficulty concentrating
• In severe cases, confusion or seizures Chronic magnesium deficiency may contribute to:
• Osteoporosis
• High blood pressure
• Increased risk of cardiovascular disease Magnesium plays a crucial role in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, including energy production, protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, and blood pressure regulation, as highlighted in 1. If magnesium deficiency is suspected, blood tests can confirm the diagnosis, though serum levels may not accurately reflect total body magnesium, as discussed in 1 and 1. Treatment typically involves dietary changes to include magnesium-rich foods, along with supplementation if needed, as recommended in 1. Common supplements include magnesium oxide, citrate, or glycinate, typically dosed at 200-400mg daily, divided into smaller doses to improve tolerance and reduce digestive side effects like diarrhea. Severe deficiency may require intravenous magnesium under medical supervision.

From the FDA Drug Label

Early symptoms of hypomagnesemia (less than 1. 5 mEq/L) may develop as early as three to four days or within weeks. Predominant deficiency effects are neurological, e.g., muscle irritability, clonic twitching and tremors. The signs and symptoms of magnesium deficiency include:

• Neurological effects:
  • Muscle irritability
  • Clonic twitching
  • Tremors Additionally, hypocalcemia and hypokalemia often follow low serum levels of magnesium 2.

From the Research

Signs and Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency

The signs and symptoms of magnesium deficiency can be diverse and depend on the age of the patient, as well as the severity and duration of the deficiency 3. Some of the key manifestations include:

• Neuromuscular hyperactivity, such as tremor, myoclonic jerks, convulsions, and muscle cramps
• Psychiatric disturbances, ranging from apathy and coma to delirium
• Cardiac arrhythmias, including ventricular fibrillation and sudden death
• Hypocalcemia and hypokalemia, which may not respond to treatment without magnesium supplementation
• Non-specific symptoms, such as weakness, fatigue, and nausea

Clinical Manifestations

Magnesium deficiency can lead to a range of clinical manifestations, including:

• Neuromuscular hyperexcitability, characterized by tremors, muscle cramps, and convulsions 4
• Cardiac arrhythmias, such as ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation 5, 6
• Biochemical abnormalities, including hypokalemia and hypocalcemia 3, 4
• Psychiatric disturbances, such as apathy, coma, and delirium 3

Risk Factors and Populations

Certain populations are at higher risk of magnesium deficiency, including:

• Patients with gastrointestinal disorders or malabsorption syndromes 3, 6
• Those with kidney disease or renal insufficiency 6, 7
• Individuals with diabetes, alcoholism, or cardiovascular disease 5, 6, 7
• Patients taking diuretics or other medications that increase magnesium loss 3, 5, 6