I think it was BBC who did a programmer about young farmers in the UK. One of the dairy farmers, a 17 year old girl was learning from her father and was a very enthusiastic farmer. So the Dad and Mom decided she was competent to manage and had their first holiday in years. Suddenly a cow looked ill and within minutes was dead. When a second one followed the girl realized what was happening - magnesium deficiency. She rushed to the farm sheds and got magnesium licks, which they stored for emergencies and by the time they were available for the cows she had lost 5 in total. Seemingly it is well known in farming circles that the soil is depleted of magnesium.
I asked my brother in law, a farmer in Ireland about this and he agreed. He said government and EU was now encouraging farmers to allow some “weeds” like clover back into grass seeds as these gave magnesium back to the soil.
So sounds like those taking a supplement may be on the right track and a pity proper tests are not available for checking levels.
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Dodie117
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What a remarkable story. I started to take Magnesium via a thyroid specialist who noticed I had AF while taking my med. history and asked if I took Magnesium.No cardiologist has ever mentioned it to me. Potassium check arenon existent apparently...although one should not take it in the belief it should be a routine mineral to supplement on. However, I have heard of several near deaths among people I know who have been found to be very low in potassium.
Thanks for that.Come to think of it mine were checked as part of an Apix. check last year and also were high...but only slightly.....and asI felt fine no action was taken.
Clarrie , there should have been a blood test to check liver function about 6 weeks after starting the Apixaban, and followed up I believe at six monthly intervals in the UK, twelve monthly in some other places. You may have had it without knowing about it, as the GP will only tell you if there is something wrong with the results. If you genuinely have not had any blood tests in two years I would suggest you should chase that up.
I stress I am no expert but I have heard that the body is very clever and negates many of these magnesium tests. It always ensures that there is plenty in the blood serum at the expense of that in other tissue like muscle hence you will have normal levels yet may still be deficient.
I have been having Red Cell Mg tests six monthly for 3 years and despite supplementation most readings have been towards the bottom end of the recommended range; my Naturopath says for AF he wants it in the top quartile. I suspect the culprit is my addiction to high quality dairy (from a Biodynamic organic farm, raw milk etc) and consequent high calcium intake, which I understand can block Mg absorption - I am reducing dairy now to test this. Incidentally, I have also read too much Mg can block Ca and that is not good either; we are all tampering with a very sophisticated machine!
Sorry about earlier mate, just sad to see the old guy go. Got me a bit emotional and out of kilter. You're doing a great job.
So we're cool? Pint?
lallym
Yes grass staggers is a serious problem in cattle and sheep associated with the flush of spring grass. Licks are standard. To lose 6 cattle amounts to poor practice normally, perhaps there were other factors
This is why I smile every time a poster says you should be able to get the needed magnesium from your diet -- not any more. This has been known to farmers for a long, long time -- our soils have been depleted of magnesium and it's no longer readily available in our diet alone.
Interesting. Do you know why this is? Liming fields was common enough in our area. Presumably both stock and arable farmers have the means to spread magnesium, it's easily available as licks.
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Blood test results regarding magnesium - thank you everyone for advice 
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