Magnesium: Topical (Transdermal) Instead of Oral?

[healthinquire]

I believe I may have magnesium deficiency. I have different potential symptoms including long time high BP and heart palpitations, and a much more recent low potassium reading. Low potassium came during a course of Proton Pump Inhibitors, which I suspect knocked my chronically low magnesium even further down. At any rate, I bought some magnesium supplements and was quite excited at the prospect of seeing about, possibly, correcting my magnesium levels and what the effects would be. I started off at 200 mg per day; then went up to 300 couple of days later. After a few days I noticed that I felt very weak, depleted, and I believe it was the magnesium that caused it. I've researched magnesium and, from what I've learned, my dosage was not especially high. Did I take too much too soon perhaps? I feel very disappointed by this apparent intolerance as I really wanted to see whether magnesium supplementation would make a difference for me. Been dealing with various health issues and was hoping for a positive turn; instead another set back. I know magnesium can be applied to the skin. Has anyone found success increasing magnesium levels that way rather than using oral supplements? I'd be interested in hearing from all, and certainly from any who reacted to the oral in a manner similar to me. Thank you.

[springcross]

I tried transdermal magnesium but I didn't like the feeling it left on my skin, it felt almost damp all the time so I stopped using it.

[healthinquire in reply to springcross]

Thanks for the feedback. How long did you use transdermal magnesium? Was it oil or cream or something else? I know you disliked the physical sensation of it. Did you notice any positive impact at all?

[springcross in reply to healthinquire]

No I did not notice any positive impact as I didn't use it long enough. It was like an oily (kind of) substance.

[Lifluf]

How do you know you are deficient? Have you had a blood test? Too high is as harmful as too low.

[healthinquire in reply to Lifluf]

I don't certainly know that I'm deficient but many people are, and I have potential symptoms including high BP, heart palpitations, and recently low potassium. My understanding is that magnesium is difficult to accurately measure because only a small amount is in the blood, and the body efforts to keep blood levels normal so that the heart continues to function. The body will take magnesium from other parts of the body to keep blood levels normal and this action, taking magnesium from other parts of the body, is the typical nature of deficiency. To fully measure this would require something like a tissue biopsy, to check for magnesium levels outside of the blood, which is obviously not practical. RGB blood test better than serum but it's still a blood measurement; it's also not typically recognized as an essential test so, in order to get one, the cost may have to come out of pocket. Yes, too high is a risk but magnesium is flushed from the body quickly, unless underlying health issues like kidney problems, and is well tolerated in supplement form. I don't think I'd go over 300 mg per day, working my way up to that number starting low -- 70 mg or so -- and progressing slowly; but some people go well beyond 300 mg in magnesium supplement per day and don't have issues. I've heard 350 mg per day magnesium supplement is max dosage to be safe; I've also heard that number is too low. I prefer to be conservative in health matters so I think I'll stick with 300 mg per day as my max. But if I should ever get there it will take a good while to work up. Low dosage start, slow progress.

[Collywobbles64]

Hi, I've been supplementing with magnesium now for over a year. It's important to use the right types of magnesium not the cheaper ones like oxide. I currently take 600 mcg of elemental magnesium in the form of magnesium chloride but I have also used mag malate, citrate and ionic mag citrate. I've also used/use the transdermal magnesium. Practically everyone is deficient in magnesium as our foods are deficient and there is no easy way to show this, as the blood tests only show serum magnesium levels and your body maintains this level by taking magnesium from other parts of your body . You have to go by your symptoms.

magnesiumandhealth.com/magn...

[healthinquire in reply to Collywobbles64]

Thanks for the feedback. My poor oral magnesium experience was with magnesium glycinate. After having done additional research I believe I started my usage with much too high of a dose. I started at 200 mg then went to 300 mg after a couple of days. Those dosages are reasonable amounts but they should be attained slowly, especially if one has never supplemented with magnesium before, which I had not. I've read that a good starting dose is in the range of 75 mg; I started nearly triple that. Too much too soon; that's my present analysis of what went wrong. I'll try again at a much lower dose and slowly work my way up. Do you remember the dosage you started with? Any difference, in your experience, between the oral and transdermal methods of getting magnesium? And why do you use magnesium? How has it helped you? Thanks.

[Collywobbles64 in reply to healthinquire]

With transdermal magnesium started with 3/4 sprays that I rubbed into my feet to deal with cramps and my lower back to help with stiffness about 5 years ago. I only started with oral magnesium a year ago as part of my protocol for dealing with my osteoporosis . I found I could tolerate quite high levels of magnesium to bowel tolerance. I also thought it could be helpful with my HBP and certainly it has lowered my readings but only as long as I take it. The link I posted takes you to a great site with lots of information about magnesium and HBP. I won't know if it has improved my osteoporosis until I have my next dexa scan in about 4 years. Any method including dietary of getting more magnesium into your body is good and I try all three.

If you struggle to up your oral magnesium try mag pros tissue salts or ionic magnesium. I think I started on about 300 or 400 mcg or mg.

[Collywobbles64]

You may also need to address your low potassium levels. The fb group vitamin d and co-factors UK provides a lot of useful information re magnesium.

[healthinquire in reply to Collywobbles64]

I am addressing potassium through taking a supplement, prescribed by my doctor. I've heard that taking potassium can be, even should be, balanced by also taking magnesium. I'm not sure of the accuracy of that.