BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuMagnesium deficiencyLow blood magnesium; Magnesium - low; HypomagnesemiaMagnesium deficiency is a condition in which the amount of magnesium in the blood is lower than normal. The medical name of this condition is hypomagnesemia. Causes Every organ in the body, especially the heart, muscles, and kidneys, needs the mineral magnesium. It also contributes to the makeup of teeth and bones. Magnesium is needed for many functions in the body. This includes the physical and chemical processes in the body that convert or use energy (metabolism).MetabolismMetabolism refers to all the physical and chemical processes in the body that convert or use energy, such as:BreathingCirculating bloodControlling bo...Read Article Now Book Mark Article When the level of magnesium in the body drops below normal, symptoms may develop due to low magnesium.Common causes of low magnesium include:Alcohol use Alcohol useAlcohol use disorder is when your drinking causes serious problems in your life, yet you keep drinking. You may also need more and more alcohol to f...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Burns that affect a large area of the body Chronic diarrhea DiarrheaDiarrhea is when you pass loose or watery stool.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Excessive urination (polyuria), such as in uncontrolled diabetes and during recovery from acute kidney injury DiabetesDiabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Acute kidney injuryAcute kidney failure is the rapid (less than 2 days) loss of your kidneys' ability to remove waste and help balance fluids and electrolytes in your b...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Hyperaldosteronism (disorder in which the adrenal gland releases too much of the hormone aldosterone into the blood) HyperaldosteronismHyperaldosteronism is a disorder in which the adrenal gland releases too much of the hormone aldosterone into the blood. Hyperaldosteronism can be pr...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Kidney tubule disorders Malabsorption syndromes, such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease MalabsorptionMalabsorption involves problems with the body's ability to take in (absorb) nutrients from food.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Celiac diseaseCeliac disease is an autoimmune condition that damages the lining of the small intestine. This damage comes from a reaction to eating gluten. This ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Malnutrition MalnutritionMalnutrition is the condition that occurs when your body does not get enough nutrients.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Medicines including amphotericin, antibodies targeting the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, cisplatin, cyclosporine, diuretics, proton pump inhibitors, tacrolimus, and aminoglycoside antibiotics Pancreatitis (swelling and inflammation of the pancreas) Excessive sweating Symptoms Common symptoms include:Abnormal eye movements (nystagmus) NystagmusNystagmus is a term to describe uncontrollable movements of the eyes that may be:Side to side (horizontal nystagmus)Up and down (vertical nystagmus)R...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Convulsions Fatigue Muscle spasms or cramps Muscle weakness Numbness Exams and Tests Your health care provider will do a physical exam and ask about your symptoms.Tests that may be ordered include an electrocardiogram (ECG).ElectrocardiogramAn electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.Read Article Now Book Mark Article A blood test will be ordered to check your magnesium level. Normal range is 1.3 to 2.1 mEq/L (0.65 to 1.05 mmol/L).Blood testA serum magnesium test measures the level of magnesium in the blood.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Other blood and urine tests that may be done include:Calcium blood test Calcium blood testThe calcium blood test measures the level of calcium in the blood. This article discusses the test to measure the total amount of calcium in your blo...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Comprehensive metabolic panel Comprehensive metabolic panelA comprehensive metabolic panel is a group of blood tests. They provide an overall picture of your body's chemical balance and metabolism. Metaboli...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Potassium blood test Potassium blood testThis test measures the amount of potassium in the fluid portion (serum) of the blood. Potassium (K+) helps nerves and muscles communicate. It also ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Urine magnesium test Treatment Treatment depends on the severity of the low magnesium problem and may include:Fluids given through a vein (IV) Magnesium by mouth or through a vein Medicines to relieve symptoms Outlook (Prognosis) The outcome depends on the condition that is causing the problem. Possible Complications Untreated, this condition can lead to:Cardiac arrest Respiratory arrest Respiratory arrestBreathing that stops from any cause is called apnea. Slowed breathing is called bradypnea. Labored or difficult breathing is known as dyspnea....Read Article Now Book Mark Article Death When to Contact a Medical Professional When your body's magnesium level drops too much, it can be a life-threatening emergency. Call your provider right away if you have symptoms of this condition. Prevention Treating the condition that is causing low magnesium can help. If you play sports or do other vigorous activity, drink fluids such as sports drinks. They contain electrolytes to keep your magnesium level in a healthy range.ElectrolytesElectrolytes are minerals in your blood and other body fluids that carry an electric charge. Electrolytes affect how your body functions in many ways...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesChonchol M, Smogorzewski MJ, Stubbs JR, Yu ASL. Disorders of calcium, magnesium, and phosphate balance. In: Yu ASL, Chertow GM, Luyckx VA, Marsden PA, Skorecki K, Taal MW, eds. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 18.Pfennig CL, Slovis CM. Electrolyte disorders. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 114.AllVideoImagesTogRelated Information Diarrhea(Symptoms)Nausea and vomiting – adults(Symptoms)Primary and secondary hyperaldosteronism(Condition)Celiac disease – sprue(Condition) Review Date: 6/12/2023 Reviewed By: Jacob Berman, MD, MPH, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. 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Magnesium deficiencyLow blood magnesium; Magnesium - low; HypomagnesemiaMagnesium deficiency is a condition in which the amount of magnesium in the blood is lower than normal. The medical name of this condition is hypomagnesemia. Causes Every organ in the body, especially the heart, muscles, and kidneys, needs the mineral magnesium. It also contributes to the makeup of teeth and bones. Magnesium is needed for many functions in the body. This includes the physical and chemical processes in the body that convert or use energy (metabolism).MetabolismMetabolism refers to all the physical and chemical processes in the body that convert or use energy, such as:BreathingCirculating bloodControlling bo...Read Article Now Book Mark Article When the level of magnesium in the body drops below normal, symptoms may develop due to low magnesium.Common causes of low magnesium include:Alcohol use Alcohol useAlcohol use disorder is when your drinking causes serious problems in your life, yet you keep drinking. You may also need more and more alcohol to f...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Burns that affect a large area of the body Chronic diarrhea DiarrheaDiarrhea is when you pass loose or watery stool.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Excessive urination (polyuria), such as in uncontrolled diabetes and during recovery from acute kidney injury DiabetesDiabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Acute kidney injuryAcute kidney failure is the rapid (less than 2 days) loss of your kidneys' ability to remove waste and help balance fluids and electrolytes in your b...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Hyperaldosteronism (disorder in which the adrenal gland releases too much of the hormone aldosterone into the blood) HyperaldosteronismHyperaldosteronism is a disorder in which the adrenal gland releases too much of the hormone aldosterone into the blood. Hyperaldosteronism can be pr...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Kidney tubule disorders Malabsorption syndromes, such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease MalabsorptionMalabsorption involves problems with the body's ability to take in (absorb) nutrients from food.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Celiac diseaseCeliac disease is an autoimmune condition that damages the lining of the small intestine. This damage comes from a reaction to eating gluten. This ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Malnutrition MalnutritionMalnutrition is the condition that occurs when your body does not get enough nutrients.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Medicines including amphotericin, antibodies targeting the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, cisplatin, cyclosporine, diuretics, proton pump inhibitors, tacrolimus, and aminoglycoside antibiotics Pancreatitis (swelling and inflammation of the pancreas) Excessive sweating Symptoms Common symptoms include:Abnormal eye movements (nystagmus) NystagmusNystagmus is a term to describe uncontrollable movements of the eyes that may be:Side to side (horizontal nystagmus)Up and down (vertical nystagmus)R...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Convulsions Fatigue Muscle spasms or cramps Muscle weakness Numbness Exams and Tests Your health care provider will do a physical exam and ask about your symptoms.Tests that may be ordered include an electrocardiogram (ECG).ElectrocardiogramAn electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.Read Article Now Book Mark Article A blood test will be ordered to check your magnesium level. Normal range is 1.3 to 2.1 mEq/L (0.65 to 1.05 mmol/L).Blood testA serum magnesium test measures the level of magnesium in the blood.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Other blood and urine tests that may be done include:Calcium blood test Calcium blood testThe calcium blood test measures the level of calcium in the blood. This article discusses the test to measure the total amount of calcium in your blo...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Comprehensive metabolic panel Comprehensive metabolic panelA comprehensive metabolic panel is a group of blood tests. They provide an overall picture of your body's chemical balance and metabolism. Metaboli...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Potassium blood test Potassium blood testThis test measures the amount of potassium in the fluid portion (serum) of the blood. Potassium (K+) helps nerves and muscles communicate. It also ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Urine magnesium test Treatment Treatment depends on the severity of the low magnesium problem and may include:Fluids given through a vein (IV) Magnesium by mouth or through a vein Medicines to relieve symptoms Outlook (Prognosis) The outcome depends on the condition that is causing the problem. Possible Complications Untreated, this condition can lead to:Cardiac arrest Respiratory arrest Respiratory arrestBreathing that stops from any cause is called apnea. Slowed breathing is called bradypnea. Labored or difficult breathing is known as dyspnea....Read Article Now Book Mark Article Death When to Contact a Medical Professional When your body's magnesium level drops too much, it can be a life-threatening emergency. Call your provider right away if you have symptoms of this condition. Prevention Treating the condition that is causing low magnesium can help. If you play sports or do other vigorous activity, drink fluids such as sports drinks. They contain electrolytes to keep your magnesium level in a healthy range.ElectrolytesElectrolytes are minerals in your blood and other body fluids that carry an electric charge. Electrolytes affect how your body functions in many ways...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesChonchol M, Smogorzewski MJ, Stubbs JR, Yu ASL. Disorders of calcium, magnesium, and phosphate balance. In: Yu ASL, Chertow GM, Luyckx VA, Marsden PA, Skorecki K, Taal MW, eds. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 18.Pfennig CL, Slovis CM. Electrolyte disorders. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 114.