Magnesium DeficiencySymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Magnesium Deficiency
Magnesium 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.
Low blood magnesium; Magnesium - low; Hypomagnesemia
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).
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
- Burns that affect a large area of the body
- Chronic diarrhea
- Excessive urination (polyuria), such as in uncontrolled diabetes and during recovery from acute kidney injury
- Hyperaldosteronism (disorder in which the adrenal gland releases too much of the hormone aldosterone into the blood)
- Kidney tubule disorders
- Malabsorption syndromes, such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease
- Malnutrition
- 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
Common symptoms include:
- Abnormal eye movements (nystagmus)
- Convulsions
- Fatigue
- Muscle spasms or cramps
- Muscle weakness
- Numbness
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
Tennessee Cancer Specialists
Dharmen Patel is a Hematologist and an Oncologist practicing medicine in Johnson City, Tennessee. Dr. Patel is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Magnesium Deficiency. He is also highly rated in 74 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Penile Cancer, Hemochromatosis, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, and Acute Mountain Sickness. Dr. Patel is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine.
Tower Health Medical Group Internal Medicine - Wyomissing 1st Floor
Tatyana Erlikh is a primary care provider, practicing in Internal Medicine in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania. Dr. Erlikh is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Magnesium Deficiency. She is also highly rated in 30 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Familial Hypertension, and Hypertension. Dr. Erlikh is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine.
Tower Health Medical Group Family Medicine - Kenhorst
Brian Kane is a primary care provider, practicing in Family Medicine in Kenhorst, Pennsylvania. Dr. Kane is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Magnesium Deficiency. He is also highly rated in 23 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Hypertension, Familial Hypertension, Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism, and Endocarditis. Dr. Kane is board certified in American Board Of Family Medicine.
The outcome depends on the condition that is causing the problem and the severity of the magnesium deficiency.
Untreated, this condition can lead to:
- Cardiac arrest
- Respiratory arrest
- Death
When your body's magnesium level drops too much, it can be a life-threatening emergency. Contact your provider right away if you have symptoms of this condition.
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.
Summary: In this pilot exploratory study, we aim to examine extracellular vesicles (EVs) as biomarkers in urine from up to 15 patients, with up to 10 samples per patient among the patients with a history of hypomagnesemia.
Summary: CoRDS, or the Coordination of Rare Diseases at Sanford, is based at Sanford Research in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It provides researchers with a centralized, international patient registry for all rare diseases. This program allows patients and researchers to connect as easily as possible to help advance treatments and cures for rare diseases. The CoRDS team works with patient advocacy groups, in...
Published Date: May 19, 2025
Published 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.
Chonchol 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.
Yu ASL. Disorders of magnesium and phosphorus. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 105.