About the Misdiagnosis of Magnesium Deficiency

Abstract

The experience of our self-help organisation shows that the reason patients with symptoms of magnesium (Mg) deficiency do not get Mg therapy is acceptance of an inappropriate lower limit of the reference values for serum Mg concentration. The commonly designated low limit of the normal range seems to have been selected from values obtained for symptomatic patients. It is below levels that exist in patients with marginal deficiencies that can predispose to development of pathologic findings, so that the prevalence and importance of this disease is insufficiently considered. The lower reference limit of the normal population is erroneously regarded as a diagnostic criterion that excludes Mg deficiency when the serum level is even slightly above the reference limit that only excludes normality at lower levels. It is a statistical error to use the confidence limits of the normal population as the exclusion limit for those with abnormal Mg status.

Magnesium VitB6 Intake Reduces Central Nervous System Hyperexcitability in Children

“…Controlled doubleblind studies of Mg therapy, compared with such treatment as methylphenidate or atomoxetin, are critical, since, as previously shown in a few open studies [6,7,9], hyperexcitable children (ADHD) have exhibited low Mg levels. We have shown that ERC-Mg concentrations of ADHD children were below a critical value of 2.2 mmol/L (normal levels being in the range [2.456 B 0.72] mmol/L).…”

Dietary magnesium intake and the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and all-cause mortality: a dose–response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies

“…For example, diet surveys conducted in both Europe and the United States revealed that the daily intake of magnesium is generally lower than the recommended amounts [77]. Moreover, a major cause of magnesium deficiency can be attributed to an improperly balanced diet and/or impaired intestinal absorption [5, 78]. …”

The nerve-heart connection in the pro-oxidant response to Mg-deficiency

“…Initial treatment with double the RDA of Mg (600 mg/day) for a minimum of 2 weeks seems to be necessary for a successful oral replenishment treatment [100]. Of the multiple forms of Mg supplement in the market, those with slow release seem to do better.…”

“…Serum Mg is the most commonly available test used by clinicians, but the serum contains less than 1% of total body Mg. Mg is mostly an intracellular ion, and in many cases, serum levels of free Mg do not correctly represent intracellular Mg content. To overcome this limitation, it has been suggested that hypomagnesemia exits when serum levels of Mg are less than 0.9 mmol/L if accompanied by relevant symptoms [100]. Of interest is a non-invasive method using energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis for cellular Mg analysis in sublingual epithelial cells [101].…”