From the Guidelines
Your magnesium level of 1.1 mg/dL is below the normal range of 1.6-2.3 mg/dL, indicating hypomagnesemia (low magnesium), and you should increase your magnesium intake through both dietary changes and supplements, such as magnesium oxide 400-500 mg daily or magnesium citrate 200-400 mg daily, as recommended by guidelines for management of patients with a short bowel 1. To address this deficiency, consider the following:
- Increase dietary magnesium intake by consuming dark leafy greens, nuts (especially almonds), seeds, whole grains, beans, and avocados.
- Be aware that low magnesium can cause symptoms like muscle cramps, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, and numbness or tingling.
- Certain medications like proton pump inhibitors, diuretics, and some antibiotics can deplete magnesium levels, and chronic conditions such as diabetes, alcoholism, or gastrointestinal disorders can also contribute to low magnesium.
- Rehydration to correct secondary hyperaldosteronism is an important first step in managing hypomagnesemia, and magnesium oxide is commonly given as it contains more elemental magnesium than other salts and is soluble in dilute acid 1.
- If oral magnesium supplements do not normalize magnesium levels, oral 1-alpha hydroxy-cholecalciferol may be considered, but regular monitoring of serum calcium is necessary to avoid hypercalcaemia 1. It is essential to address this deficiency as magnesium is crucial for nerve and muscle function, energy production, and bone health, and contacting your healthcare provider to discuss your results and investigate underlying causes is recommended.
From the FDA Drug Label
Normal plasma magnesium levels range from 1.5 to 2.5 mEq/L. The patient's magnesium level of 1.1-1.6-2.3 mg/dL is low, as it falls below the normal range of 1.5 to 2.5 mEq/L.
- The patient's magnesium level is hypomagnesemic.
- Symptoms of hypomagnesemia may include muscle irritability, clonic twitching, and tremors.
- Treatment with magnesium sulfate (IV) may be necessary to repair the plasma deficit and alleviate symptoms 2.
From the Research
Magnesium Levels and Health Implications
- Magnesium is an essential mineral in the body, involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions, and plays a crucial role in various physiological functions, including energy metabolism, nerve function, and muscle contraction 3, 4.
- Low levels of magnesium, also known as hypomagnesemia, can lead to various health issues, including neuromuscular, cardiac, and nervous disorders 3, 5.
- Hypomagnesemia has been associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, insulin resistance, type-2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, migraine headaches, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) 3, 4.
Assessment of Magnesium Status
- The measurement of serum magnesium concentration is the most commonly used method for assessing magnesium status, although it may not accurately reflect total body magnesium levels or concentrations in specific tissues 6.
- Serum magnesium levels can be influenced by various factors, including dietary intake, renal function, and certain medications 5.
Clinical Significance of Hypomagnesemia
- Hypomagnesemia is a common electrolyte derangement in clinical settings, particularly in patients admitted to intensive care units, and has been associated with increased mortality and hospital stay 4, 7.
- The determinants of magnesium abnormalities and their impact on patient outcomes require further investigation, particularly in critically ill patients 7.