Magnesium supplements: Hello - what are other... - Kidney Disease

Kidney Disease

12,452 members5,135 posts

Magnesium supplements

fartikins profile image
15 Replies

Hello - what are other peoples views on taking magnesium supplements. I have read conflicting information on this subject. I have invested in Lee Hull,s book and it states that magnesium is good for the heart as it helps to prevent calcification especially if you are on dialysis. On the other hand I have read that it is bad for the kidneys. I have some 375mg tablets ready to take but I am holding off until I have some more information. I have finally tested negative for covid after a very bad bout of it now I just have to recover. Fell off the wagon yesterday I ate a large bit of Easter egg and two bits of chocolate - the first taste since Christmas but no more now - I felt very guilty. I have an interim blood test tomorrow - Im a bit nervous in case my gfr has dropped but I will wait until the nephrologist appointment for the result. I have my friends funeral tomorrow to contend with - I really do not want to go because it reminds me of my own mortality now I have this illness. She had myeloma and had only been retired for 2 months when she was diagnosed which has been on my mind for a while now. Oh to have my health back to what it was to help with this constant uncertainty - it is a very precious thing to have. Thanks for reading.

Written by
fartikins profile image
fartikins
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
15 Replies
Dora86 profile image
Dora86

When it comes to any supplement the best advice you can get is from your Dr. Personally I don't take anything extra as I'm on a cocktail of tablets already. Don't feel guilty about the chocolate everyone has a slip, I struggle at Christmas! It sounds like you are struggling to come to terms with having CKD and I completely understand because I have been there too. Over time I realised that you have to live your life as best you can. Try not to see your friends funeral as your own mortality but as a reminder to carry on living your best life.

Bassetmommer profile image
BassetmommerNKF Ambassador

Check with doctor, but depending on what stage you are at, taking extra minerals such as magnesium can become toxic. I was taking magnesium for sleep and for moving my gut. And.... I began to get a very high level which is dangerous, so I had to stop. Check with your doctor to see what your levels are.medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

WildIris profile image
WildIris

I took it for restless leg syndrome and sleep before I knew I had CKD. Now I take half as much, 500 mg. My CKD numbers have improved while I'm on this dose and my blood tests don't show high levels. It definitely helps me with sleep and calmness. Good luck.

CatOnACloud profile image
CatOnACloud

I would definitely see what your mag level is before taking more. I am deficient in mag, but they all cause me intense triggering of my as yet undiagnosed colitis. However, my sister loves to send me helpful things, and she sent me a magnesium lotion. I have horrible restless legs. It works! It doesn’t make me sick. Plus, it’s an excellent lotion. I noticed amz has many of these. Just—check your levels first, then periodically so you don’t end up overdoing it. The advice on the thread here is sound.

Sorry about your friend. Death always make us question our own mortality, especially when it comes too soon. I just remember that yeah, I’m sick, but I’m gonna do the best I can to create and embrace the best qualities in my life I can achieve and maintain. Quality of life. More than just a rote phrase, ya know? But it’s okay to grieve what we miss, So long as we rise again to fight the good fight eh :-)

WYOAnne profile image
WYOAnneNKF Ambassador

Never take anything, even supplements without getting your nephrologist OK. When you have your renal labs done, they are looking not only at your eGFR, creatinine and BUN but your potassium and magnesium.When your GI doctor orders' medication to take to prepare you for the test, he has to make sure it doesn't have magnesium. A common preparation was "Mag Citrate." Not good for your kidneys! In fact it can be TOXIC!

fartikins profile image
fartikins in reply toWYOAnne

Thanks for your kind reply.

nonna70 profile image
nonna70

My neph. put me on 250mg. every other day as I was having nightly leg cramps; helps a lot and is staying in range.

Michael__S profile image
Michael__S

I don't supplement with magnesium anymore and even before I had kidney issue I would take some in the range of 40-150mg. I was using the powdered version and go 1/8 tsp at a time. Out of memory a full spoon was ~400mg and 1/8 of that was plenty effective and felt excessive to take that every day.

But I still get supplemental magnesium from my cal-mag (300/150mg) and to me it's just to ensure proper calcium absorption and use less than more. It also make the calcium supplement slightly laxative (very slightly) and I can afford to take the pill at the most convenient time.

fartikins profile image
fartikins in reply toMichael__S

Just to say thanks to all who replied to my magnesium query. You all provide such good information.

drmind profile image
drmind

Are you magnesium deficient? My labs indicate low magnesium and ive been instructed by my nephrologist to take 500 mg each day. As I said in a previous post, the 500 mg daily really cleaned out my digestive tract too fast so I had to cut back to 250 mg daily. I'm in the low normal range now, bit I'm still instructed to continue with the magnesium. Ask your doctor. BTW there are several varieties of magnesium so ask for an explanation if you chose to take it. Best to you

chicablue profile image
chicablue

I asked my Nephrologist if I could take magnesium to help me sleep, and He said a great big resounding NO. Said taking it could stop my heart! This was back when I was stage 4.

fartikins profile image
fartikins in reply tochicablue

Wow that is a big definite there - it amazes me that there is so much contradictory evidence out there. I suppose the best thing is to try and get your magnesium from foods that are available.

chicablue profile image
chicablue in reply tofartikins

I wonder if his response would have been different if I had been on dialysis. Are you on dialysis?

fartikins profile image
fartikins in reply tochicablue

No - not yet.

chicablue profile image
chicablue

That's good! the longer we stay off it the better. I was on dialysis for 5 months in 1995. it tired me out. Slept all afternoon afterwards.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Magnesium

I need some information on magnesium. My labs show I'm low but still within the normal range and...
drmind profile image

Do supplements help to increase GFR?

Hi everyone. I’m a new member who have recently been diagnosed with stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease...
GFR45 profile image

Hello. Looking for answers

I don't know what's going on, but it's a bit strange with symptoms. I'm going to get blood work...
gbn_ profile image

Just join and stressed out

Hello I'm Larry just joined, this last two weeks I found out that I got stage 3B ckd. My...
LarryGee profile image

Dialysis

Hello Just looking for some advice as we are completely stumped over the lack of information my mam...
Jk2023 profile image

Moderation team

See all
PattyM_NKF profile image
PattyM_NKFModerator
DorisL_NKF profile image
DorisL_NKFModerator

Top community tags

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.