How do you feel if your magnesium is high?

Hypermagnesemia, or high blood magnesium, is a rare but potentially serious electrolyte disorder that typically affects people with kidney dysfunction or those taking high doses of magnesium-containing medications. The symptoms can range from mild and non-specific to severe, and understanding how you feel if your magnesium is high is crucial for timely intervention.

Quick Summary

Elevated magnesium levels can lead to a range of symptoms, including weakness, nausea, low blood pressure, confusion, and decreased reflexes, with severity often correlating to the degree of elevation and underlying kidney function.

Key Points

• Symptom Spectrum: How you feel with high magnesium depends on the level, ranging from mild nausea and fatigue to severe low blood pressure, confusion, and muscle weakness.

• Kidney Function is Key: Hypermagnesemia is rare in people with normal kidney function and almost always occurs in those with impaired kidneys who cannot properly excrete excess magnesium.

• Cause is Often External: The most common causes are overuse of magnesium-containing medications like laxatives and antacids, not dietary intake alone.

• Signs of Severity: Severe symptoms like absent reflexes, low blood pressure, and difficulty breathing indicate a medical emergency.

• Treatment Depends on Level: Mild cases may only require stopping supplements, while severe cases need immediate hospital treatment with IV calcium, diuretics, or dialysis.

• Heart Health Risk: Excess magnesium can interfere with heart function, potentially causing a slow heart rate (bradycardia), arrhythmias, and in critical cases, cardiac arrest.

The Spectrum of Hypermagnesemia Symptoms

Symptoms of high magnesium levels, or hypermagnesemia, vary widely depending on the concentration of magnesium in the blood. In mild cases, individuals may not experience any noticeable symptoms at all. However, as levels rise, the effects on the nervous system and muscles become more pronounced.

Mild Symptoms (Serums Levels: 2.6–7 mg/dL)

• Gastrointestinal Distress: The most common initial side effects of high magnesium intake, especially from supplements, are diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramping. This happens because magnesium draws water into the intestines.
• General Weakness and Fatigue: Muscle weakness and a general feeling of tiredness or lethargy are often reported. Excess magnesium can interfere with nerve signals to muscles, causing this effect.
• Dizziness and Confusion: Individuals may feel dizzy or experience mild confusion.
• Flushing: A feeling of warmth and redness in the face is also a mild symptom.

Moderate to Severe Symptoms (Serum Levels: 7–12 mg/dL)

If magnesium levels continue to climb, the symptoms become more severe and can significantly impact bodily functions.

• Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension): Excess magnesium can cause blood vessels to widen, leading to a significant drop in blood pressure. This can cause fainting or blurred vision.
• Neuromuscular Issues: Decreased deep tendon reflexes (hyporeflexia) are a key sign of progressing hypermagnesemia.
• Cardiac Effects: Magnesium is critical for heart rhythm, and too much can disrupt electrical signals, leading to bradycardia (slow heart rate) or other irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias).
• Constipation and Urinary Retention: While low doses cause diarrhea, high levels can paralyze the bladder and slow bowel function, leading to constipation.
• Increased Drowsiness: The lethargy and fatigue can worsen into somnolence (sleepiness) or even narcosis.

Critical Symptoms (Serum Levels: >12 mg/dL)

At very high levels, hypermagnesemia constitutes a medical emergency and can be fatal.

• Respiratory Depression: The most dangerous effect is the suppression of the respiratory system, leading to shallow, impaired breathing. In extreme cases, this can lead to respiratory arrest.
• Severe Hypotension: Blood pressure can drop to dangerously low levels.
• Complete Paralysis: Muscle weakness can progress to flaccid muscle paralysis.
• Cardiac Arrest: The heart can stop beating entirely.
• Coma: Severe toxicity can lead to a coma.

What Causes High Magnesium Levels?

For people with healthy kidney function, it is extremely difficult to achieve toxic magnesium levels through diet alone because the kidneys are highly efficient at filtering out excess magnesium. Hypermagnesemia is almost always caused by an underlying health issue or the excessive intake of magnesium from supplements or medications.

Key causes include:

• Kidney Failure: The most common cause, as impaired kidneys cannot properly excrete excess magnesium.
• Overuse of Magnesium-Containing Products: This includes high-dose laxatives, antacids, or Epsom salts.
• Endocrine Disorders: Conditions like hypothyroidism or Addison's disease can affect magnesium balance.
• Medical Treatments: Magnesium sulfate infusions, often used for conditions like eclampsia in pregnancy, can cause iatrogenic hypermagnesemia.

Mild vs. Severe Hypermagnesemia Comparison

Feature	Mild Hypermagnesemia	Severe Hypermagnesemia
Common Symptoms	Nausea, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, flushing	Severe weakness, low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, lethargy, absent reflexes
Cardiovascular Impact	Minor or no effect	Bradycardia, arrhythmias, potential cardiac arrest
Neurological Effects	Mild confusion	Narcosis, coma
Reflexes	Normal or slightly decreased	Absent deep tendon reflexes (hyporeflexia)
Respiratory Function	Normal	Respiratory depression, potential respiratory arrest
Underlying Cause	Often supplemental or medication overuse in otherwise healthy individuals	Significant kidney impairment is highly likely
Medical Urgency	Not an emergency; often resolves by discontinuing the source	Medical emergency requiring immediate hospitalization

How to Lower High Magnesium Levels

Treatment for hypermagnesemia depends on the severity and the underlying cause. In all cases, the first step is to stop taking any magnesium-containing medications or supplements.

For Mild Cases

• Discontinue Supplements: Stop taking oral magnesium supplements, laxatives, or antacids.
• Hydration: Increase fluid intake to help the kidneys flush out excess magnesium, provided there are no restrictions on fluid intake.

For Severe Cases

• Intravenous (IV) Calcium: Administered to antagonize the effects of magnesium, especially on the heart and nerves.
• Diuretics: If kidney function is adequate, loop diuretics can increase magnesium excretion.
• Dialysis: For individuals with kidney failure or dangerously high magnesium levels, hemodialysis is the most effective way to rapidly remove magnesium from the blood.
• Emergency Support: In critical situations, respiratory and circulatory support may be necessary in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Conclusion: The Importance of Addressing High Magnesium

Feeling like your magnesium is high is a sign that should not be ignored, especially if accompanied by more severe symptoms like extreme weakness, low blood pressure, or difficulty breathing. While mild cases may resolve with simple adjustments, severe hypermagnesemia is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. It is most common in those with underlying kidney issues, highlighting the importance of cautious supplementation and regular medical oversight for at-risk individuals. A proper diagnosis from a healthcare provider is essential to determine the cause and the correct course of action. If you suspect high magnesium, seek medical advice promptly.

Related Resources

For more detailed information, the National Institutes of Health provides comprehensive medical data on electrolyte disorders, including hypermagnesemia.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is hypermagnesemia?

Hypermagnesemia is a condition defined by an abnormally high level of magnesium in the blood. It is an uncommon electrolyte disorder that can lead to significant health complications if left untreated.

What are the earliest signs of having too much magnesium?

The earliest signs of excess magnesium often include gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramps, especially when caused by high-dose supplements.

Can high magnesium cause low blood pressure?

Yes, high magnesium can cause low blood pressure, or hypotension. Excess magnesium widens blood vessels, which reduces blood pressure and can lead to dizziness or fainting.

Is it possible to get high magnesium from food alone?

It is virtually impossible to get high magnesium from food alone if you have healthy kidneys. The kidneys are very effective at regulating and excreting excess dietary magnesium.

What is the most common cause of high magnesium levels?

The most common cause of hypermagnesemia is kidney failure. When the kidneys are not functioning properly, they cannot filter out excess magnesium from the blood, leading to a buildup.

When should I seek medical help for high magnesium?

You should seek immediate medical help if you experience severe symptoms of hypermagnesemia, such as difficulty breathing, severe muscle weakness, very low blood pressure, or irregular heartbeats.

What are some foods to avoid if I have high magnesium?

If you have hypermagnesemia, especially due to kidney issues, your doctor may recommend avoiding magnesium-rich foods like nuts, seeds, spinach, and whole grains.