"Every organ in the body, especially the heart, muscles, and kidneys, needs the mineral magnesium. It also contributes to the makeup of teeth and bones. Magnesium is needed for many functions in the body. This includes the physical and chemical processes in the body that convert or use energy (metabolism).
When the level of magnesium in the body drops below normal, symptoms develop due to low magnesium.
Common causes of low magnesium include:
* Alcohol use
* Burns that affect a large area of the body
* Chronic diarrhea
* Excessive urination (polyuria), such as in uncontrolled diabetes and during recovery from acute kidney failure
* Hyperaldosteronism (disorder in which the adrenal gland releases too much of the hormone aldosterone into the blood)
* Kidney tubule disorders
* Malabsorption syndromes, such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease
* Malnutrition
* Medicines including amphotericin, cisplatin, cyclosporine, diuretics, proton pump inhibitors, and aminoglycoside antibiotics
* Pancreatitis (swelling and inflammation of the pancreas)
As already explained, there is a Blood magnesium test which one can do..but in all probability it may come within normal range.
Because Mg is a highly essential mineral required for 300 biological process in the body. And if you are not getting enough up to say 400 mg daily, your body will not tell you that you are getting less..it will by default extract Mg from your intestine , from your bones to meet the short fall.
If you continue to get less Mg and it becomes a chronic issue, then major health issues develop. All diabetes are suspected to have Mg deficiency some of the symptoms ...makes you weak, feel tired & exhausted, muscle ache, RLS - Restless Legs syndrome, Insomonia, Gastro intestinal disturbance, even heart muscle contraction issues leading to heart failure...
Same thing true with Calcium. You may not get Ca deficiency in a blood test. If one eats Low calcium in diet or eats a diet which is acidic in nature, the body draws calcium from bones to maintain alkalinity in the blood. For example all vegetables fruits maintain alkalinity in the blood. But If one eats animal protein/ dairy/ egg day and night, these protein from animal sources are flooded with Sulphur containing Amino acids such as Methionine & Cystene which get converted in to sulphuric acid making the blood heavily acidic. These heavy protein/ Amino acids also gets converted in to too much urea and uric acid which puts heavy load on kidney...since these nitrogenous waste need to be cleared by the kidney
So, one of the ways to test for CA, Mg deficiency. Is to understand from symptoms ..
And also check for BMD through a Dexa scan to see if Osteopenia has started which could lead to osteoporosis. Which would mean if demineralisation of bones happening. ( Leaching of Mg, Ca from bone )
And sometimes , you may develop too many teeth issues ....at times you may have very sensitive teeth....then your teeth demineralisation has occurred.
Please read this article , at the end a list of food items containing Ca, Mg is given..you me get guided.
But magnesium supplements are huge in varieties..may be some 15-20 types....each has a different objective...for example Magnesium Glycinate for sleep, where as Magnesium threonate for brain , memory loss, cognitive function.....there are Mg SO4, Mg Cl2, Mg citrate, Mg Taurate,. Mgo, MgOH,....MgOH for constipation ...and so on..please consult your doctor before taking any supplement.
Natural food sources are the best..you can also dip your leg in warm water bucket containing Epsom salt MgSO4 ...some Mg will enter your leg muscle cells ..to give you immediate relief from restless lg syndrome, muscle ache.
The other culprit could be perennial vitamin D deficiency.....If you are eating an all round Healthy Nutritious food such that Ca, Mg can be easily assimilated by your body and you are doing regular exercise both Aerobic & Resistance Regularly and you still develop osteopenia as confirmed by DEXA.....
Then look for PTH (Parathyroid hormone disorder)
Your parathyroid glands create too much parathyroid hormone in the bloodstream. These glands, located behind the thyroid at the bottom of your neck, are about the size of a grain of rice.
Please note that Parathyroid hormone is totally different from Thyroid/ Hypo- Hyper Thyroid.
Thyroid & Parathyroid - Both are totally different. Please Don't get confused.
If you suspect parathyroid hormone disorder, contact your doctor for proper consultation & treatment.
Thanks for the information namaha . I'm planning to go for one round of complete blood tests (&others which you suggested). Once I get the reports, will contact you personally via chat. Thanks for your help again.
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