Do I need Magnesium.Levels already qu... - Atrial Fibrillati...

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Do I need Magnesium.Levels already quite high.

kkatz profile image
19 Replies

Having read many posts recommending Magnesium I asked my doctor if I could take it with my many medications as I sometimes have real problems with night cramps.She organised blood test and it showed serum level 0.91 mmol/L and acceptable range is 0.7-1.00.

I never went back to her as records show No further action.

So might I do more harm than good.

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kkatz
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19 Replies
Physalis profile image
Physalis

That's interesting. I've never been very keen on taking supplements. I got some magnesium citrate tablets and didn't take them at first but then started to three months ago. Then I ran out and dithered a bit over whether I should buy them on a three month subscription. This dithering, as so happened, coincided with my HRV readings taking a tumble. It was probably just coincidence but, as a result, I googled magnesium and HRV and it came up with this.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/279...

"Vagus activity, and thus the adaptive and regenerative capacity of the body, veritably increased by magnesium supplementation. The results of this study point out that persons with mental and physical stress can benefit from a daily intake of magnesium. This might lead to an improved physiological regulation of the sympathetic and parasympathetic efferents and, furthermore, prevent magnesium deficiency and diseases such as, for example, restlessness, irritability, lack of concentration, sleep disorder or depression."

So I bought some more and after three days where my HRV was 9 - 13, yesterday it was 53. All very subjective but there might be something in it.

Kaz747 profile image
Kaz747 in reply toPhysalis

My magnesium was okay on blood tests too but my hea felt so much better when I started taking magnesium.

webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/mag... - says

“Some experts don’t think a blood test is the best way to find out your magnesium level. That’s because much of the magnesium in your body is stored in your bones and other places, not in the blood.Stress can send magnesium out of your cells and into your blood. This can make it seem like you have more magnesium in your body than you really have if you simply have a blood test.”

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer

I use magnesium oil spray before bed on muscles which cramp at night - that always works for me. I can’t take Magnesium orally as contraindicated for another condition but from what I understand - if you take too much the worst that will happen is it will give you the runs.

Desanthony profile image
Desanthony in reply toCDreamer

Where do you get the magnesium spray. I am on Quinine Sulphate tablets for cramp, without them I am up walking the floors every night at least twice - this coupled with bladder problems which get me up another 3 times is just too much. The Quinine is not good for heart problems but they think I am better on it than off it but wonder if the magnesium spray would help. My son is on the same but now he only takes it when he has cramp in the night - that doesn't work for me, or it hasn't. I have tried to come off a few tablets recently but couldn't stay off them. Would be nice to get off one. Do you also take magnesium taurate. I am thinking of starting this but my EP was equivocal about it so thought I wouldn't waste my money - after all I was trying to reduce tablet taking not increase it.

kkatz profile image
kkatz in reply toDesanthony

This might seem silly but it has worked for years is a bar of soap in your bed.I know lots of people it has helped.Just get the odd few days it doesn't.

Desanthony profile image
Desanthony in reply tokkatz

Amazing what things work always worth a try, and its quite cheap too - and makes the bed smell nicer as well.

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer in reply toDesanthony

Magnesium oil spray is easily available from most health stores & on line. I cannot take Magnesium orally, which is how & why I use the spray. Warm bath in Epsom Salts & hot water bottle also help but I personally don’t use Salts bath more than once a week as it weakens me.

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman

My understanding is that the body will only absorb how much magnesium it needs, and any excess will be excreted unchanged. That excess stays in the bowel where it pulls in water and could cause gurgling and even diarrhoea if there's too much (it's an excellent laxative but the usual dose for that is a whopping 3g of magnesium hydroxide, or 126mg elemental magnesium equivalent).

If you are taking a PPI drug, then, in very unusual cases, these drugs block absorption of magnesium from the gastric tract and can create problems.

Steve

kkatz profile image
kkatz in reply toPpiman

I take omeprazole 20mg twice a day

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman in reply tokkatz

Similar here, with normal magnesium, too. Magnesium deficiency is unusual, I gather. Why some people get a positive effect on their afib isn't understood and might even be a placebo effect, but it sadly did nothing for me. I've come to believe that the best way to get minerals is not from a profit-driven factory, but from a natural diet high in green vegetables, pulses, grains and the like. There is rather less magnesium in foods these days, but not sufficient to cause a deficiency if the diet is varied.

Steve

Polski profile image
Polski in reply toPpiman

Magnesium deficiency as measured by a blood test, is unusual - and means you are seriously short. As I understand it the body will always try to make sure there is enough in the blood, but does so be taking it from our stores. Many people have a shortage in their stores, and building these up is what seems to make the difference. There is a test, not available on the NHS, called a Red Cell Test which measures the magnesium in the red blood cells, and which is considered to be much more accurate.

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman in reply toPolski

The body’s stores of magnesium are enormous, I gather.

It has always seemed odd to me that a tiny dose of a mineral that exists plentifully in our body and food would help as miraculously as some claim. Also, being such an utterly central part of our metabolism, it surprises me that a deficiency would show itself in such a narrow way as atrial fibrillation. I would expect far more wide ranging symptoms.

I suspect, but might well be wrong, that if we are otherwise healthy (e.g. kidneys, thyroid, liver, etc.) then magnesium isn’t anything we should be concerned about and would be better looking at other lifestyle changes such as weight, exercise, blood pressure, alcohol intake and similar.

Steve

Polski profile image
Polski in reply toPpiman

Magnesium is used in more than 300 processes in the body, so there are probably plenty of conditions which are influenced by a shortage of it. I think I read recently that the large number of people suffering from GERD and therefore using PPIs may actually be struggling, at least in part, as a result of a shortage of magnesium, and it may well be a factor in CFS and fybromyalgia. Because a shortage is not easily measured, traditional medicine tends to ignore the possibility of a shortage and it's possible effects.

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman in reply toPolski

Yes, 300 and counting I expect as magnesium seems to be at the heart of every metabolic process somewhere or other.

Traditional medicine does struggle with identifying and treating some chronic conditions - even accepting them; but I suppose at least it can rely on thoroughly amazing diagnostic technologies, blood tests and imaging techniques. I’m not sure how non-traditional therapists can find out more, myself.

I remember once meeting a student’s mum, a Chinese medicine specialist it turned out (she said); well, she asked me a few simple questions then gave me a giant bottle of tablets. 😳

Steve

bassets profile image
bassets

I've never been tested for magnesium levels but would never be without it nowadays. It's made me feel much better. perhaps it would be worthwhile to try it for a while?Best wishes :)

Neoneo profile image
Neoneo

When I had a stay in hospital for my rhythm problems I was given a bag of magnesium. A while later I read it was good for the heart rate so I ordered some magnesium glycanate (wrong spelling) it has brought my heart rate down from an average of a 112 to anything from 72-99. I use a Kardia Monile and it is so good to see normal flag up and not tachycardia every time. Because of a very rare condition with my heart, I am not allowed any of the normal medications. Hence, two ablations, one cardio version and one cryoablation. Sadly things have kicked off again and I await an app.

Frodo profile image
Frodo

This might be useful. I was advised by a specialist to take magnesium for migraine, but not which kind: some affect the stomach more than others.

*I copied this from a post elsewhere - says it's from a site called the Dizzy Cook, but I've seen the information in other places too.

Describes different types of magnesium supplements on a coloured background.
brit1 profile image
brit1

magnesium oxide is cheapest and should be avoided and is in most supplements. Can cause loose stools plus doesn't work as well as other forms (glycinate/taurate etc)

secondtry profile image
secondtry

As Polski says get a Red Cell test done, if you want a better check. I have had it done 6 times and just about to do another through Biolab, London.

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