From the Guidelines
Mineral testing is not routinely recommended for diagnosing or managing fibromyalgia. While some practitioners may suggest testing for minerals like magnesium, zinc, or selenium, there is insufficient scientific evidence that mineral deficiencies cause fibromyalgia or that supplementation specifically treats the condition 1. However, if you have fibromyalgia, your healthcare provider might consider testing for certain minerals if you show symptoms of deficiency or have risk factors. For example, magnesium levels might be checked if you experience muscle cramps or fatigue beyond typical fibromyalgia symptoms. If deficiencies are found, supplementation would be tailored to your specific needs - such as 300-400mg of magnesium daily or zinc supplements of 15-30mg per day. The reasoning behind this approach is that while mineral imbalances may contribute to some symptoms that overlap with fibromyalgia, they are not considered primary causes of the condition. Fibromyalgia is a complex disorder involving central nervous system sensitization, and its management typically focuses on medications targeting pain processing, physical therapy, stress reduction, and sleep improvement rather than mineral supplementation.
Some key points to consider in the management of fibromyalgia include:
- Aerobic and strengthening exercise, cognitive behavioral therapies, and multicomponent therapies are recommended as non-pharmacological management options 1
- Pharmacological management options include amitriptyline, duloxetine, milnacipran, tramadol, pregabalin, and cyclobenzaprine 1
- The management of fibromyalgia should aim at improving health-related quality of life, balancing benefit and risk of treatment, and often requires a multidisciplinary approach with a combination of non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment modalities tailored according to pain intensity, function, associated features, and patient preferences and comorbidities 1
It's essential to note that the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) revised recommendations for the management of fibromyalgia emphasize the importance of a comprehensive assessment of pain, function, and psychosocial context, and recognize fibromyalgia as a complex and heterogeneous condition 1.
From the Research
Mineral Testing for Fibromyalgia
- Fibromyalgia is a complex chronic condition characterized by deep and widespread pain, sleep problems, cognitive impairment, fatigue, and other functional symptoms 2.
- Research suggests that an imbalance of nutritive components, including essential metal ions and vitamins, may play a critical role in the development of fibromyalgia 2.
- Mineral deficiencies, such as magnesium, selenium, and vitamins B and D, have been associated with muscle pain and fibromyalgia symptoms 2, 3.
- Heavy metals, such as mercury, cadmium, and lead, may interfere with the bioavailability of essential nutrients and contribute to fibromyalgia symptoms 2.
- Studies have investigated the correlation between body magnesium levels and fibromyalgia, as well as the effectiveness of magnesium supplements in treating fibromyalgia symptoms 3.
- Vitamin D subnutrition is common in fibromyalgia patients, and routine bone densitometry is not recommended unless there are other risk factors for osteoporosis 4.
- A systematic review and meta-analysis found that circulating concentrations of vitamin E were lower in fibromyalgia patients compared to controls, but the difference was not significant when restricting the analyses to high-quality studies 5.
- There is limited evidence to support the hypothesis that vitamin and mineral deficiencies play a role in the pathophysiology of fibromyalgia, and that the use of supplements is effective in these patients 5.