How do you get rid of high magnesium? Understanding Hypermagnesemia

October 25, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the Cleveland Clinic, hypermagnesemia is a rare condition that occurs when there's an excessive amount of magnesium in your blood, often due to kidney failure or high intake of magnesium-containing products. Understanding how do you get rid of high magnesium is crucial for preventing serious health complications.

Quick Summary

Treatment for hypermagnesemia depends on its severity and underlying cause. Mild cases may only require stopping magnesium intake, while severe cases often involve intravenous calcium, diuretics, or dialysis.

Key Points

Identify the Cause: High magnesium is often caused by impaired kidney function combined with excessive intake from supplements or medications.
Stop Magnesium Sources: The initial step for mild cases is to discontinue all magnesium-containing supplements and medications.
Medical Intervention for Severe Cases: Severe hypermagnesemia necessitates medical treatment, including IV calcium, IV fluids, and diuretics.
Dialysis for Kidney Failure: Patients with severe hypermagnesemia and kidney failure require dialysis to remove excess magnesium.
Adjust Your Diet: Limit foods high in magnesium, such as nuts and whole grains, and moderate caffeine and processed foods.
Monitor Regularly: Regular blood tests are essential for individuals with chronic conditions to prevent recurrence.

Understanding Hypermagnesemia: What Causes High Magnesium?

Hypermagnesemia, the medical term for high magnesium levels, is uncommon in people with healthy kidney function because the kidneys are highly efficient at excreting excess magnesium. The condition typically arises from a combination of excessive magnesium intake and impaired kidney function, which prevents the body from properly filtering the mineral.

Common Causes of High Magnesium

Kidney Failure: The most common cause, where impaired kidneys are unable to excrete surplus magnesium.
Excessive Intake: Overuse of magnesium-containing medications like antacids, laxatives, and Epsom salts is a significant risk factor, especially for those with kidney issues.
Other Medical Conditions: Hypothyroidism, Addison's disease, and diabetic ketoacidosis can also lead to hypermagnesemia.
Trauma and Burns: Severe trauma or burns can cause tissue damage and the release of magnesium into the bloodstream.

Medical Treatments for High Magnesium

For moderate to severe hypermagnesemia, medical intervention is necessary. These treatments are performed under the supervision of a healthcare provider and depend on the patient's symptoms and the severity of the condition.

Administering Calcium

Intravenous (IV) calcium is often administered to counteract the effects of high magnesium, particularly when cardiac issues are a concern. Calcium acts as an antagonist to magnesium's influence on neuromuscular and cardiac functions.

Increasing Excretion with Diuretics and Fluids

If kidney function is sufficient, doctors may use intravenous normal saline and loop diuretics like furosemide to promote magnesium excretion through urine. The fluids dilute magnesium while diuretics encourage urination.

Dialysis for Severe Cases

Hemodialysis is the most effective method for quickly removing excess magnesium from the body in severe cases, especially for patients with significant kidney impairment.

Dietary and Lifestyle Adjustments

For mild hypermagnesemia or as part of long-term care, dietary and lifestyle modifications are important. These adjustments should be made under medical guidance, particularly for those with kidney conditions.

Reducing Magnesium Intake

Stop Supplements and Medications: Discontinue over-the-counter products containing magnesium. Consult a doctor before stopping any prescribed medication.
Avoid High-Magnesium Foods: Limit intake of foods rich in magnesium, such as nuts, seeds, whole grains, and spinach.
Limit Processed Foods and Caffeine: Reduce consumption of soft drinks and caffeinated beverages, as they can impact magnesium levels.

Comparison of Treatment Options for Hypermagnesemia


Treatment Method	Best For	How It Works	Speed of Action	Caveats
Discontinuation	Mild, asymptomatic hypermagnesemia with healthy kidney function.	Eliminates the source of exogenous magnesium intake.	Days	Not suitable for severe or symptomatic cases.
IV Calcium	Symptomatic and severe hypermagnesemia with cardiac symptoms.	Acts as a physiological antagonist to magnesium's effects.	Immediate	Temporary relief, does not remove magnesium from the body.
IV Fluids & Diuretics	Moderate hypermagnesemia with adequate kidney function.	Increases magnesium excretion via urine.	Hours	Ineffective in patients with poor kidney function.
Dialysis	Severe hypermagnesemia, especially with renal failure.	Rapidly filters excess magnesium and waste from the blood.	Hours	Invasive procedure, required when other treatments fail.

Long-Term Management and Prevention

Long-term management focuses on the underlying cause to prevent hypermagnesemia from returning.

Follow-Up Monitoring: Regular blood tests are crucial, especially for those with chronic kidney disease.
Underlying Condition Management: Managing conditions like kidney disease with a doctor is vital.
Patient Education: Being aware of magnesium content in medications and products is important for prevention.

Conclusion

Addressing high magnesium levels, or hypermagnesemia, requires a tailored medical approach based on the severity and cause. While simply stopping magnesium intake may suffice for mild cases, moderate to severe instances often require medical interventions like IV calcium, fluids, or dialysis. Impaired kidney function is a primary risk factor, highlighting the importance of proactive management and consulting healthcare professionals. By addressing the root cause and following medical and dietary advice, individuals can effectively manage magnesium levels and avoid complications.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider for any health concerns. For further reading on electrolyte disorders, refer to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) bookshelf https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549811/.

Frequently Asked Questions

For severe cases, the fastest way to lower magnesium levels is through medical interventions like intravenous (IV) calcium, IV fluids with diuretics, and, for those with impaired kidney function, dialysis.

Symptoms of too much magnesium can range from mild effects like nausea, weakness, and confusion to severe complications such as dangerously low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis, and cardiac arrest.

If you have hypermagnesemia, you should avoid foods rich in magnesium, including nuts (almonds, cashews), seeds, whole grains, legumes (black beans), bananas, and dark green vegetables like spinach.

Yes, if a person has healthy kidney function, their body can typically excrete excess magnesium on its own once they stop the source of intake, such as supplements or magnesium-rich medications.

Yes, severely high magnesium levels can have significant effects on the heart, leading to irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) and, in extreme cases, cardiac arrest.

Hypermagnesemia is defined as a serum magnesium concentration above 2.6 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Severe hypermagnesemia can occur at levels exceeding 12 mg/dL.

In cases with adequate kidney function, drinking more fluids, such as water, can help increase urination, which assists the kidneys in excreting excess magnesium from the body.