Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms

Magnesium deficiency symptoms should never be overlooked as magnesium is an important mineral essential to over 300 functions within the body. These functions include assistance with regulation of electrical conductivity of the heart, keeping bones, nerves and muscles strong and functioning adequately, regulating blood pressure and blood sugar and promoting health of the immune system. Although widespread US human deficiency is debated between medical professionals and magnesium survey takers, there is probably cause to at least consider the possibility that the average American may not receive an optimal level of magnesium through dietary measures.

1. Lowered appetite. A decrease in appetite may be an indicator of magnesium deficiency, yet it is a common warning sign in many health conditions and should be evaluated by a health care professional who will assess it in conjunction with any other signs or symptoms.
2. Nausea and vomitting. Again, although these may, in fact, be early signs of magnesium deficiency symptoms, they may also be resultant of many other conditions.
3. Fatigue. Fatigue is a common symptom presented to health care professionals. Lifestyle, medications, dietary factors and other causes need to be assessed to determine the cause of fatigue. A test for magnesium levels may be included in this assessment to determine if a deficiency exists.
4. Numbness or tingling sensations. These symptoms may indicate more serious magnesium deficiency affecting the nerves.
5. Muscle spasms. Muscle spasms may be a result of insufficient magnesium stores in the muscles. Cramps and involuntary contractions of the muscle structure may indicate a more severe deficiency.
6. Abnormal heart rhythm. An abnormal heart rhythm should always be evaluated by a qualified health care professional. Blood tests, including that for lowered magnesium levels, are typically done during a routine assessment.
7. Hypocalcemia. A severe magnesium deficiency symptom may cause a dangerous decrease in calcium levels within the blood.

Many symptoms are generalized and can be caused by several health conditions which may make it hard to pinpoint their true cause. Checking magnesium levels is frequently done as a routine part of a physician's blood panel workup for a patient.